Principle
We have developed a device that automatically mixes chlorine into water in the correct proportions, regardless of the flow rate of the water. Our device can be fitted to a rural community’s existing water source, such as the hand pump of a well, the tap of a rainwater harvesting cistern, or the faucet of a piped water system. It does not require electricity, has no moving parts to fail and uses only gravity to operate. As opposed to conventional water purifiers, a Zimba dispenser can handle thousand of liters per day and is therefore able to supply more people with their water needs. On top of this, there are no expensive cartridges to replace.
Patent pending.
How it Works
Zimba leverages the principle of an automatic siphon to add a fixed amount of chlorine per batch of water that is pumped in.
Robust
From the beginning of the project, durability was known to be a key feature required. Moving parts such as hinges and gears are known to be the first point of failure in most designs. So from the outset, we strived to design a product with no moving parts.
Gravity Powered
Electricity is expensive, unreliable or not available in many rural locations. Batteries too are not always available so we knew a design that didn’t require a circuit board would have a greater range of applications and wider appeal. Gravity and the force it exerts on water is all that is needed to power a Zimba mixer.
Water Source
While many are familiar with turning a tap to get water at a steady rate and constant pressure, we understood that it would not always be available. As such, we worked hard to ensure that our design could deal with any method of input, be it from a tap, from a hand pump or poured in batches. And no matter what input you chose, our mixer delivers the same precision every time.
Continued Protection
One of the big benefits of adding chlorine to your drinking water is that you get continued protection against bacteria and germs. This is known as the chlorine residual and means you can keep water safely for longer and still be sure you’re drinking clean water.
Accuracy
The ratio of water to chlorine required in drinking water is so fine that it is measured in parts per million. This causes problems for most people working with chlorine. Zimba, however, does work within the sensitive parameters and does it consistently.