Modular In-Line Water Purifier for MOLLE Hydration Systems

Addressing the water purification needs of the Army in a lightweight and compact system is not trivial given the diverse range of waterborne contaminants that could potentially be found on the battlefield. Based upon Cascade Designs expertise at developing individual water purification systems for the military and outdoor markets, we are proposing a novel in-line filter design that is based on incorporating multiple water purification technologies contained in a MOLLE compatible filter housing. Our proposed in-line filter will comprise of both size exclusion filtration and adsorptive media with fast sorption kinetics. By conducting proof-of-concepts experiment based on the NSF P248 protocol, we intend to demonstrate in Phase I that our proposed in-line filter design is capable of satisfying the stringent flow rate, filter capacity and microbiological removal requirements established by the Army. The Phase I option will focus on demonstrating that the in-line filter can similarly remove a diverse range of chemical contaminants including organic pollutants and heavy metals. In Phase II we will continue to optimize the performance of the system, design, assemble and test MOLLE compatible prototypes, and finally deliver 50 low-rate initial production filters to the Army for field testing in a relevant environment.