This page contains details of a growing number of student projects concerned with appropriate technology. Many of the ideas for these projects have come from my involvement with the Christian relief and development charity Tearfund http://www.tearfund.org.
Biodiesel Production Manual
This document outlines the basics of biodiesel and more specifically the processes used and equipment required to produce your own biodiesel. Provided is legal information about the production of biodiesel within the UK, material sourcing for a ‘make-your-own' biodiesel kit and guidelines and standards for biodiesel. Information about the introduction and construction of biodiesel plants in developing countries is given in the hope that self sufficiency can be obtained in rural areas.
Bread Oven for Uganda
This project was concerned with the design and construction of a bread oven for use in Soroti, Uganda. The oven had to be:
- Portable (not brick)
- Cheap
- Easy to make
- Wood - fired
- Capable of baking 300 loaves a day
The resulting design cost about £400 to build, and consists of a box in a box in a box. The central box contains the bread, the next box the fire and hot gasses, and the outer box is filled with sand to provide thermal insulation. More details about the project are available here: http://www.theafricafund.net/projects/bakery.html.
Solar Tracker
Solar panels are being used increasing in the developing world to supply electricity to remote locations. Maximising the power output from a solar panel can be achieved by tilting the panel to point towards the sun during the day. Many electronic devices exist for this purpose, but these are often expensive and difficult to maintain. This project consisted of designing a simple mechanical solar tracker based on two bimetallic strips. The direct impact of this research is that the power output of a solar panel can be increased by 23%.
Bag Sealer
In the developing world, food sold at markets is often placed in plastic bags, which are then sealed by using a candle. A safer alternative is presented here. The candles are placed inside a wooden box. A simple heat shield is made from a soft drinks, and the bags can be sealed easily using a clamping device. A prototype has produced water-tight seals without the operator coming into contact with the hot plastic.
Recycling for the Developing World
Recycling is often an expensive process. This report (also available in Spanish) considers a range of recycling routes available at low cost.
Newspaper Briquettes
This report is concerned with testing an existing newspaper briquetting device produced by the Centre for Alternative Technology (www.cat.org.uk) The ability to process cardboard, office paper, and glossy paper into combustible briquettes is assessed.