Water Crisis
Water is the most abundant resource on the planet, yet less than 1% of the Earth’s freshwater supply is readily available to drink. Lack of accessible clean drinking water cripples communities in many developing countries.
One billion people are living without safe drinking water.
Waterborne disease kills 2 million people annually, most of which are children.
Patients suffering from waterborne disease fill over half the world’s hospital beds.
Enter Slingshot
Named after the tool the Biblical David used to deal with Goliath, DEKA set out to tackle the problem of bringing clean water to the world. The Slingshot system provides safe drinking water to areas of the world where access is extremely limited.
How it works
The Slingshot system uses vapor compression distillation to purify water.
1. Heat Exchanger
The cold source water is heated as it flows past the warm clean water.
Cold Source Water
Warm Clean Water
2. Evaporator
The preheated source water enters the evaporator from the bottom. It’s heated as it rises through the copper tubes. Plastic dowels are placed inside the tubes to restrict flow, creating a thin film of water between the dowel and exposed tube. The copper tube acts as a condenser for the clean steam, aiding in evaporation.
3. Compressor
The compressor raises the pressure from 7 to 9 psi. This also increases the temperature of the steam. The difference in temperature allows the steam to condense on the “cooler” evaporator tubes.
4. Condenser
The hot steam condenses on the “cooler” tubes producing pure clean water. The condensing steam provides the energy needed for evaporation.
Repeat steps 1~4
DEKA’s engineers and designers played an integral role in developing a highly efficient device which produces pure, clean water while using low levels of electricity, is simple to operate, and requires little ongoing maintenance.
Coca-Cola and DEKA piloted the Slingshot technology at schools in Ghana in 2011-2012 and installed units at schools in Pilar, Paraguay and health clinics in the Eastern Cape of South Africa in 2013-2014.
Slingshot provided emergency relief in Dominica following Tropical Storm Erika in 2015. Slingshot systems were installed and operational within days and provided clean water on the island until water service was restored in that area.
