Recycling of used DC motors as solar pumps for water supply and water delivery applications in urban poor and rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa

摘要

Sub-Saharan Africa is known for having a rich aquifer and a tropical climate, but in spite of these endowments, water scarcity remains an identity of the people of this sub-region. This paper explores an independent idea towards an adaptive solution for the looming water scarcity. The concept is to appreciate and consolidate the efforts of local engineers and scientists to provide local solutions for global impact. Water scarcity is growing at an astounding rate as a result of population growth and a poor educational system. As such, the call for ingenuity and engineering ability to provide appropriate sets of solutions based in the regional and local requirements as defined in the aspiration of the United Nations "Millennium Goals" must be upheld with tenacity. It is certain that technologies do exist that will deliver competitive advantages. Renewable energy has provided simple and cheap solutions to meet the needs of many, but this simplicity cannot be justified in the sub-Saharan African continent where the looming poverty remains a problem without any acceptable solutions. A method has been devised where Direct Current Motors, formally used in other applications have been reconfigured as solar water pumps.