Cycloclean: Advancements in
Bicycle-Powered Water
Purifying Equipment
W ith two million children dying around the world due to unclean water, according to UNICEF, the need for purified water is more important than ever. A third of the world’s population still doesn’t have access to clean water.
Cycloclean by Nippon Basic Co., Ltd. aims to change all that. Part of the problem to this is that there are still some areas of the globe, in isolated rural areas and villages, with no power source. This makes it difficult to use any type of equipment that cleans water.
Cycloclean can produce five liters of clean drinking water per minute from raw water. Affixed to the rear seat of a custom-made bicycle, this unit is operated by simple pedal use, with no electricity or fuel required. It can turn water from the rivers, lakes, and swimming pools into drinkable water. Raw water can be dirty but not gassy or rotten. Cycloclean has been used in the past fifteen years throughout Japan in many cities, condos, retirement homes, labs, municipal offices and private companies.
Major Features and Advantages
I. Portability
Because it comes in the form of a bicycle, it can be moved from one spot to another extremely easily. Simply get on, pedal and ride to wherever clean water is needed. Tires are made from puncture-free solid rubber optionally, allowing riders to access areas with rough or narrow terrain that may not be so easily accessible with other vehicles. Cycloclean features a basket and filtration system attached to the front and back. This is especially desirable in places that have been plagued by natural disaster.
II. Provides Large Amounts of Water
Cycloclean can produce up to three tons of clean water in just 10 hours, delivering water needed to 1,500 people per day from river and lake water. In one month’s time, it can produce between 90 and 100 tons of clean water. Its counterpart technology, called Desaliclean, can convert sea water into drinking water. Its compact design allows it to be carried anywhere, filtering both sand and salt from ocean water.
III. Simple filter media
Each filter system is comprised of a microfiltration membrane, hybrid carbon filter and primary filter.
Technology Data
Conceivable applications
Even in an area where there is no power source, this technology can make clean drinking water from raw water such as water obtained from the rivers, lakes, swimming pools, etc.
Competitive avantage
In our understanding, there is no other similar product in the global market
1. Operated by a bicycle 2) Can provide large amounts of clean water. 3) Movable to any spot 4) Easy operation.
2. Filters consist of microfiltration membrane, hybrid carbon filter and primary filter.
Performance
A unit of this technology can produce 5 liters of clean drinking water per minute from raw water. This device unit is fixed at the rear seat of a custom-made bicycle. Users can produce clean water by only working the pedals. No electricity or fuel is required. Raw water used as input can be very dirty, but should not be rotten or gassy. Sea-water is not applicable. Size measurements are W 620 x L 1,780 x H 1,100 mm. The unit weighs 50 kg.
Technical maturity
Past record of application
Cycloclean (bicycle-powered water purifier) usage in past 15 years
Japan:
Used in many cities, condominiums, old-age care homes, laboratories, municipal offices, private enterprises, etc.
Overseas:
Used at;
Bangladesh: in a Ronhingya refugee camp run by International Organization for Migration(IOM), in a disaster-affected area supported by Oxfam
Indonesia: the leading hamburger restaurant chain
Myanmar: 3 hospitals
The Philippines : an NGO
China : at UN related EVNET
China: exhibited at Shanghai EXPO
China: presented to President Hu Jintao
Thailand : at a private enterprise
India: Big automobile company
Conceivable risk
Nothing particular
Information on patent related to this technology
Inventions regarding Cycloclean are protected under
Japanese Patent No. 3575442,
Chinese Patent No. 173454,
Taiwan Patent No. 159795 and
The U. S. Patent 6641729
Company Data
| Name | Nippon Basic Co., Ltd. |
| Address | 2-42-3-301, Kamikodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa-ken, Japan |
| Capital | JPY 10,000,000 |
| Contact person | Mr. Yuichi KATSUURA Tel.: +81-44-754-2892 Fax: +81-44-754-2892 Mob.: +81-90-2455-3618 E-mail: nipponbasic@ceres.ocn.ne.jp URL: http://www.nipponbasic.ecnet.jp/eindex.html |
| Number of employees | 3 |
| Date of company foundation | 2005 |
| The type of business | Water purifying equipment maker |
International operation
| Number of employees for international operation(including overseas operation, if any) | 2 | |
| Overseas offices* | Dhaka, Bangladesh | Desh-Bidesh Enterprise |
| Dhaka, Bangladesh | Japan Aqua Enterprise | |
* Overseas offices of alliance members and/or consortium members are also accepted.
Modality of business transaction
Partnership
Offering local assembling and patents of Cycloclean
Export of product
Selling products both in Japan and overseas countries.
Licensing of patent
Offering patents of Cycloclean to prospective assembly makers overseas.
Production
We have produced Cycloaqua which is separated purification system from bicycle lately in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Attachments
Schematic illustration of the technology
Contact Person(s)
*Please mention that you saw UNIDO's website when making the first contact with the company.
Registered Category
- Environmental Technologies : Pollution Prevention and Control
- Human Health Technologies : Public health