System Testing in Guatemala...
In March 2019, we had the opportunity to put our BlackBox designs to the test. Naturally, we went with a high level of confidence for excellent results. While we did not achieve all we had hoped for, the results we did attain are very encouraging.
After years of preparation, a test was ready to be executed utilizing theBlackBox High Volume (BBHV) and our Activated Carbon Pre-filtration system. A body of water runs through the Panchoy Valley near Pastores Guatemala, the Río Guacalate. It is a toxic river that has been tested several times over the past three years, showing consistent contamination of over 1600 particulates, including Coliform, E Coli, Feces, and microorganisms.
We hoped to:
1. Prove or disprove the filtration capacity (Effectiveness, Endurance) – of the 10” Hollow Fiber membrane filter used in the BBHV – specifically as it applies to “worst case scenario” water filtration. These are the filters made available to us through Village Water Filters.
2. Prove or disprove the filtration/water treatment capacity of the combo pre-filter Activated Carbon Chip / Active Carbon Sponge Membrane made available through Village Water Filters.
3. Verify the available flow rates of multiple BlackBox HV Filtration systems configured in parallel with 2 / 4 / 6 units.
We arrived at the river on schedule. This location was chosen to prove the capacity for cleaning the water source and demonstrate the system’s functionality for using the toxic river as an emergency water supply. Unfortunately, in a short time, we discovered just how contaminated the river was. The pollutants in the river blocked the Activated Carbon pre-filters. This radically changed our plans for the week. We could not do the longevity and volume testing we had hoped to accomplish at the river.
We were able to get a before and after test from the river. The positive results show us that the BBHV / Activated Carbon pre-filter combination will clean up the river. 99.99999%, Log 7 – clean water. Plans are being made to return to the river with a secondary pre-filtration tool to remove the larger contaminants that blocked the Activated Carbon pre-filters.
The subsequent days of that week were spent in the shop of Cosas Mejores. We achieved the volume testing we hoped. Higher volumes are possible, but we must test this with a higher-powered / higher-volume pump. This graphic is a summary of the flow tests.
We now know that whether operating as individual units or connected in parallel as a single large volume unit, theBlackBox Series water filtration system is proven simple and effective.
