Low-Cost Clay-Sawdust Ceramic Pot Filter¶

Ceramic Filtration • Est. CapEx: $19 USD • Lifespan: 3 Years (Replace Element)

Technical Overview¶

A gravity-fed point-of-use water purifier manufactured from locally sourced clay and combustible organic material (sawdust, rice husks, or coffee grounds). Designed for off-grid households and rural communities, it leverages traditional pottery techniques to produce microscopic pores that physically remove pathogens and sediment without electricity or chemical dosing.

Key Specifications & Engineering Parameters¶

Parameter	Specification
Category	Ceramic Filtration
Capital Cost (CapEx)	$19 USD
Power / Energy	100% Gravity / Zero Power
Target Scale	Household (5–10 people)
Standard Lifespan	3 Years (Replace Element)
Technology Maturity	Commercially Available
Primary Mechanism	Clay powder is dry-mixed with uniformly sifted combustible material (typically 50:50 to 60:40 by volume) and water to form a plastic body. The mixture is molded into a frustrum-shaped pot and fired at 850–900°C, burning out the organic material and leaving a network of 0.6–3.0 micron pores. Water percolates through the ceramic wall under gravity, mechanically trapping bacteria, protozoa, and sediment. An optional colloidal silver coating disrupts microbial DNA to prevent biofilm growth and provide secondary disinfection.

Engineering Trade-Offs¶

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Cross-Reference & Interactive Tools¶

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