Originally Posted By: Glock-A-Roo
Originally Posted By: Hacksaw
Urine can be distilled to produce pure water.


Having seen the recommendations against the classic solar still due to its relative ineffectiveness, I have always wondered if introducing wet materials into the still would make it worthwhile. If you soaked some rags w/ urine, or chopped up some moist vegetation, would that make the solar still produce enough water to justify using it?

In Steven Callahan's book "Adrift" he describes using 2 inflatable solar stills in which black cloth was soaked w/ seawater to generate the moisture. IIRC these stills were instrumental in his survival.

Solar stills are not the most effective way of collecting water but if it’s your only way it’s so much better than nothing. Adding moisture or plant matter to the still will increase its effectiveness greatly. However you should be careful what you add to the still, because some contaminates will carry over in the evaporation process.


Edited by raydarkhorse (11/15/07 03:50 PM)
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