If you were cast off on an island from a plane crash and you don't have a supply of fresh water and the only available source of water is from the sea. Moreover, there are things left with you: electrical wire, mugs, a magazine, an aluminum kettle, a short PVC pipe, and bamboo. Your goal is to produce fresh water from seawater using those given materials. Use all the materials given.
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Answer:
In a survival scenario, securing drinking water is important as the body can only survive for three days without it. In the given situation, the survivor is trapped in an island with unlimited supply of seawater. But drinking seawater is worse than not drinking water at all. The high salt content of seawater will cause vomiting and excessive urination, causing the body to lose more water in the process.
With the materials provided, turning seawater into drinking water is possible using the process of desalination by distillation. Desalination is the process of taking away minerals, such as salt from saline water. Distillation is a thermal process (that is, it uses heat) that separates substances from a liquid solution by boiling and condensation. While the process is energy intensive, enough drinking water can be obtained to allow time for rescue or to build a more sustainable survival environment. Here are the steps on how to set-up a desalinator using an electrical wire, mugs, a magazine, an aluminum kettle, a short PVC pipe, and bamboo.
1. Set-up a fire pit using rocks and dried corals found all over the island.
2. Collect dried up fuel for fire: Driftwood, dried coconut husks, sticks, etc (these are found in all islands around the world.
3. Fill the aluminum kettle to the brim with saltwater. Ideally fetch water as far away from the island as possible to ensure the water is not contaminated by dead marine life along the beach.
4. Connect one end of the PCV pipe to the spout of the kettle and the other end to one of the mugs. Set it in a way to make sure that the steam coming out from the kettle will be collected by the mug through the PVC pipe. Wet sand can be used and molded to allow proper placement of the mug and use the electrical wires to secure the kettle, the PVC pipe, and the mug in place.
5. Place the other mug under the set-up to collect the drops of water the gets collected in the first mug.
6. Split the bamboo and make sure it is as dry as possible. Place the bamboo under the sun to ensure this, if necessary.
7. Create fire by rubbing the bamboo together. This may take time, do it slowly to lessen exertion.
8. Feed the sparks with pages from the magazine and the coir (fiber) from dried coconut husk.
9. Set the fire under the aluminum kettle and feed it with driftwood, dried coconut husks, and sticks.
10. Collects the steam from the kettle and allow it to cool in the mug.
11. Drink water from the mug sparingly once enough is collected.
The science:
When water reaches its boiling point it evaporates, leaving all other substances mixed with it including salt from seawater. When water vapor is collected in the first mug, it cools (condenses) and turns into liquid water.
Bonus:
The fire created can also be used to signal ships passing by for help.
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