An interview
with Alex Kee discussing his Solar Kettle / Thermos Flask
Recorded July 15, 2006
The Solar Vacuum Glass Tube Collector (SVGTC) delivers
free solar energy generated boiling water within two hours. Made from strong
"Pyrex" (borosilicate) glass, these new generation co-axial selective coated
solar vacuum glass tube collectors is more than 70% efficient in converting
solar infra-red energy into thermal energy.
Solar infra-red energy penetrates the transparent outer glass tube, right
through the vacuum layer and gets absorbed by the black selective coating on
the outer side of the inner tube.
Solar thermal energy generated from solar infra-red energy by the Solar
Kettle-Thermos Flask (SK-TF) sterilizes and kills most if not all water
borne pathogens making it potable and safe for drinking through the solar
water pasteurization or boiling processes.
Given that vacuum is an excellent thermal insulator, the heated water
remains hot as very little thermal energy can escape through the inner tube
to the outer tube of the SK-TF.
For added thermal insulation performance, the outer
side of the inner tube has not one but two selective coatings:
electro-statically spluttered adsorptive black coating (Aluminum Nitride) on
reflective silver coating (Aluminum).
To preserve the longevity of the coatings, a barium ring is placed within
the vacuum to absorb any nitrogen or oxygen that may be out-gassed post
vacuum sealing.
The vacuum insulation is so efficient that overnight, the thermal loss is
less than 5°C, doubling up the Solar Kettle as a Thermos or Vacuum Flask to
provide hot water in the morning even before the Sun is up, a critical
feature inherently deficient in most solar energy devices.
Besides the solar pasteurization and boiling of water,
the SK-TF which stagnates at a high temperature of 220°C delivers baking hot
dry heat to bake and autoclave.
At the heart of the SK-TF design and purpose is
personal empowerment where it is the individual rather than the group is
empowered to manage and ensure his or her own drinking water safety. It is
hoped that with personal empowerment, there will also be personal ownership
and responsibility so that the end result is a community that is self
reliant where personal hygiene is concerned.
The SK-TF is not only for the aid receiver, but also
the Personal Solar Survival Tube (PerSisT) for the aid giver to ensure his
or her own drinking water safety because the last thing the aid giver wants
is to also be a victim in the field.
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