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Design and development of an improved low-cost ceramic water filter based on the existing Potpaz home water treatment device for use within rural households of the Vhembe region

  • Authors: Bolton, Martin
  • Date: 2012-03-08
  • Subjects: Water purification , Water filtration , Water filters , Ceramics
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/379594 , uj:2147 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4513
  • Description: M.Tech. , This project aimed to develop the Potpaz ceramic water filter into an improved filter design optimally suited to South African rural conditions, to provide potable water rather than contaminated water to households. Communities that do not have access to in-house treated water often end up with a contaminated water supply, as the water to be consumed is usually sourced from communal water collection points and stored in containers. There is evidence that the water consumed at point-of-use in rural areas is not always of a potable quality due to possible contamination between collection and consumption. The existing Potpaz home water treatment device has been scientifically proven to return contaminated water to a potable state. A limited number have been imported to South Africa for use in a project that studied the effect of household point-of-use treatment on the health of the consumer. It was not at all certain whether the households would use these devices effectively because this filter was not part of their everyday water system. Part of investigating whether or not they would effectively use this filter was the inclusion of industrial design within the filter assessment section of a larger research project conducted in the Vhembe region to understand the requirements of the user. Industrial design concerns itself with the requirements of the user, as well as knowledge regarding product design, development and manufacturing. Households that took part in the point-of-use project used the Potpaz home water treatment device for more than two months and were approached to provide feedback regarding its use. From the feedback, it became evident that there were aspects of the Potpaz design that needed modification towards an improved water filter more suited for its intended use in rural households. An Action Researchinfluenced methodology and User Centred Design approach informed the collection of original data and feedback on areas of improvement. This, together with visits to local shops and community potters, provided sufficient background to understand the needs and preferences of the intended rural users regarding the use of the device. This informed the design process and increased the chances of developing a readily accepted, more suitable product to the intended users and the domestic environment in which they live. To achieve this, this project focused on the following aspects regarding Potpaz filters: placement, use and design aspects of usability and ergonomics. Development of the improved filter design culminated in rapid prototyping of a scale model and the fabrication of a full-size working model allowing for physical interface to evaluate the success of the design solution.
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Processing of pure titanium containing titanium-based reinforcing ceramics additives using spark plasma sintering

Saggar fired ceramics: incorporating European lace design

  • Authors: Legg, Michelle Jane
  • Date: 2008-06-13T09:36:04Z
  • Subjects: Ceramics , Pottery
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:2834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/626
  • Description: The aim of the Master’s Degree: Ceramic Technology was to produce an innovative body of ceramic work, personal in concept, with reference to South African indigenous ceramics. The main objectives focused on investigating and developing handbuilt forms, a variety of surface decoration techniques and firing methods derived from and inspired by our diverse cultural heritage. Various clay bodies were also developed to construct an innovative range of hand-built and slip cast ceramic products/artefacts, mainly vessels. The investigation included the development of an improved clay body for hand-built pots suitable for alternative firing methods incorporating a variety of surface techniques. The research undertaken for the M-Tech celebrates and expatiates technological data on the techniques and traditional approaches of handbuilt ceramics especially as practised by rural potters in designated areas chosen by the researcher. Relationships developed through visits during these investigations established comfortable working relationships, making the exchange of information possible. As a result, the knowledge and skills gained by the researcher has placed her in a position to enable her to address the needs of the rural community when required, creating opportunities for cross-cultural exchange. Parallel to this investigation was a study directed at developing appropriate ceramic surfaces based on European lace. Various techniques of embossing, incising, sprigging, impressing and glazing were explored to simulate European lace. The idea was to combine the design and construction of hand-built rural crafts in the development of a series of pit-fired ceramic pots. This resulted in a true integration of European and African traditions in the design and development of a body of uniquely South African products. , E. Hön R. Wessels
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