Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratory - libdoc.who.int

26 Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratoryFig. 2.32 Components of a glass stillC: condenser; D: distillate; E: electric element.Fig. 2.33 Components of a solar stillSolar stills (Fig. 2.33)For laboratories in remote areas and with limited resources, a simple solarpoweredwater still can be easily constructed using a clean plastic container withtwo compartments (one large and one small) and a large surface area, over which isplaced a glass cover in a sloping position.The water is poured into the large compartment from which it is evaporated by thesun. It condenses on the glass cover and drops into the small compartment. Thesmall compartment has an outlet at the bottom through which the distilled watercan pass into a glass bottle placed underneath the container.