 |
|
'Air shower' set to cut water use by 30 per cent
November 10, 2006As Australians become increasingly alert to the importance of using water wisely in the home, CSIRO researchers have found a way to use a third less water when you shower - by adding air.
The scientists have developed a simple 'air shower' device which, when fitted into existing showerheads, fills the water droplets with a tiny bubble of air. The result is the shower feels just as wet and just as strong as before, but now uses much less water.
The researchers, from CSIRO Manufacturing Materials Technology in Melbourne, say the device increases the volume of the shower stream while reducing the amount of water used by about 30 per cent.
Given the average Australian household uses about 200,000 litres of water a year, and showers account for nearly a third of this, the 'air shower' could help the average household save about 15,000-20,000 litres a year. If you extend this across the population, that is an annual saving of more than 45,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The Aerated Showerhead creates the sensation of having a full and steady stream of water even though the water is now more like a wet shell around a bubble of air.
While the general concept of using an aerated showerhead to save water is not new, the technology behind the CSIRO's device is novel.
Developed by a team led by Dr Jie Wu, the aeration device is a small nozzle that fits inside a standard showerhead. The nozzle uses a small Venturi tube - a tube for which the diameter varies, creating a difference in pressure and fluid speed. Air is sucked into the Venturi tube as a result of the partial vacuum created, causing air and water to mix, forming tiny bubbles within the water stream.
"The nozzle creates a vacuum that sucks in air and forces it into the water stream," Dr Wu says.
"We make the water droplets in the stream hollow and the bubbles expand the volume of the shower stream."
Small-scale experiments using the aeration device found that people detected no difference in water pressure, sensation, or overall perception of showering.
After almost two years of research and development, CSIRO is ready to take the aerated shower head technology to the commercialisation stage.
"We have very promising results on the aerated showerhead's water-saving potential. Now we are looking for commercialisation partners who will be involved in the development needed to turn the technology into a marketable device," Dr Wu says.
He expects the nozzle would cost less than $20 and could be installed by householders.
CSIRO Australia
Given the average Australian household uses about 200,000 litres of water a year, and showers account for nearly a third of this, the 'air shower' could help the average household save about 15,000-20,000 litres a year. If you extend this across the population, that is an annual saving of more than 45,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The Aerated Showerhead creates the sensation of having a full and steady stream of water even though the water is now more like a wet shell around a bubble of air.
While the general concept of using an aerated showerhead to save water is not new, the technology behind the CSIRO's device is novel.
Developed by a team led by Dr Jie Wu, the aeration device is a small nozzle that fits inside a standard showerhead. The nozzle uses a small Venturi tube - a tube for which the diameter varies, creating a difference in pressure and fluid speed. Air is sucked into the Venturi tube as a result of the partial vacuum created, causing air and water to mix, forming tiny bubbles within the water stream.
"The nozzle creates a vacuum that sucks in air and forces it into the water stream," Dr Wu says.
"We make the water droplets in the stream hollow and the bubbles expand the volume of the shower stream."
Small-scale experiments using the aeration device found that people detected no difference in water pressure, sensation, or overall perception of showering.
After almost two years of research and development, CSIRO is ready to take the aerated shower head technology to the commercialisation stage.
"We have very promising results on the aerated showerhead's water-saving potential. Now we are looking for commercialisation partners who will be involved in the development needed to turn the technology into a marketable device," Dr Wu says.
He expects the nozzle would cost less than $20 and could be installed by householders.
CSIRO Australia
Milagro detects cosmic ray hot spots
The University of Maryland-led Milagro collaboration, comprised of scientists from 16 institutions across the United States, has discovered two nearby regions with an unexpected excess of cosmic rays.
Radiation flashes may help crack cosmic mystery
Faint, fleeting blue flashes of radiation emitted by particles that travel faster than the speed of light through the atmosphere may help scientists solve one of the oldest mysteries in astrophysics.
High-energy particles from violent black holes travel to Earth
Ultra-high-energy particles from just outside enormous, active black holes in nearby galaxies travel as far as 250 million light years to make it all the way to Earth, an international team of 400 physicists and astronomers from 17 countries reports in the Nov. 9 issue of the journal Science.
Auger Observatory links highest-energy cosmic rays with violent black holes
Scientists of the Pierre Auger Collaboration, which includes New York University Physics Professor Glennys R. Farrar, have concluded that active galactic nuclei are the most likely candidate for the source of the highest-energy cosmic rays that hit Earth.
More Air Shower Current Events and Air Shower News Articles
 |
Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System with Adjustable Showerhead by Sun Water Systems Aquasana ® AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System with Adjustable Showerhead Aquasana AQ-4100 Shower Filter was voted "Product of the Year" by Cosmetology Today Magazine! This unique 2-Stage shower water filter is US Patented, has a high filtering capacity and is easy to install. No tools necessary, although pliers may be helpful. The granular copper/zinc and coconut shell carbon replaceable water filter effectively removes 99% of Chlorine, reduces VOC`s, heavy metals and other chemicals, as well as enhancing pH. Stage 1 removes chlorine and enhances pH balance with a natural copper/ zinc mineral media called KDF-55D. The second water filtration stage uses a carbonized coconut shell media for the removal of synthetic chemicals and VOCs that vaporize and can be inhaled or absorbed... |
 |
Extensive Air Showers by M. V. S. Rao (Author), Rao (Author) Ultrahigh energy cosmic rays carry information about their sources and the intervening medium apart from providing a beam of particles for studying certain features of high energy interactions inaccessible at man-made accelerators. They can be studied only be the extensive air showers (EASs) they generate while passing through the Earth's atmosphere, since their fluxes are too low for the experiments of limited capability flown in balloons and satellites. The EAS is generated by a series of interactions of the primary cosmic ray and its progeny with the atmospheric nuclei. The exponential nature of the atmosphere spreads the air showers laterally over several hundreds of metres, thus enabling ground-based arrays of relatively inexpensive detectors to record and study them. This work... |
 |
Aquasana Shower Filter and Wand Combo by Aquasana Aquasana's best product, AQ-4100 in combination with a hand-held wand. This great combo will get you clean healthy water and convenience of a hand-held wand in minutes! Voted "Product of the Year" by Cosmetology Today Magazine. Comes with a 2-stage US-patented shower filter cartridge that is capable of filtering 10,000 gallons, and can last 6-9 months. The granular copper/zinc and coconut shell carbon replaceable filter effectively removes 99% of chlorine, reduces VOCs, heavy metals and other chemicals, and enhances pH. Take a shower in natural spring water! No tools necessary for installation, although pliers may be helpful. |
 |
Womens designers Perfume by Nina Ricci, ( L'AIR DU TEMPS GENTLE SHOWER GEL 3.3 oz UNBOXED ) + On Sale ) - @Up To 55% Off by Nina Ricci |
 |
SudaCare Shower Soothers Vaporizing Shower Tablets, 7-Count Tablets (Pack of 2) by Sudacare From the makers of Sudafed Nasal Decongestant. Comforting care when you are congested. Releases soothing eucalyptus, menthol & camphor vapors. SudaCare Shower Soothers react with the water in your shower to create steamy vapors of eucalyptus, menthol, and |
 |
Brand New Hot Air Balloon Baby Crib Nursery Bedding Set 10 Pieces by SoHo Designs This Set Fits all Toddler Beds and Cribs (Single or Convertible) (USA, UK, AU, Etc..) The Set includes following 10 pieces: * Hand Embroidery Crib Quilt * Hand Embroidery Crib Bumper * Fitted Sheet * Crib Skirt (Dust Ruffle) * 2 pieces of Window Valances * Diaper Stacker * Toy Bag * Baby Pillow * Baby Bib |
 |
Air Spencer GIGA G40 Shower Cologne Air Freshener by Car Beyond Store Brand new high quality original product. |
 |
L'air du Temps by Nina Ricci for Women 6.6 oz Perfumed Bath and Shower Gel by Nina Ricci Feminine and ageless, the elegant blend of soft florals and sandalwood is sure to mesmerize and enchant. |
 |
Carmate G121 Sai Clear Air Freshener (After Shower) by Carmate - Second generation of our mega-hit CUBE - New spin on the old-school fuzzy dice design - Includes new body shells and latest popular scents from Japan |
 |
T-Shirt Mens Black " Dog Shower - U.S. AIR FORCE " Sports Large by TopExpressions |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |