Our model began as a simple C calculator that was able to calculate the costs of the filter, but required manual entry of many of the variables that we now calculate. We then added the Python graphing program for a visual representation of the numbers that we were getting. After this point, we began researching distillation to see how our filter compared to the current method of desalination. We decided to compare the mangrove-like filter to distillation, and that was the next big change. Finally, we decided to create a header file to keep better track of the functions, which at this point, we were calculating the time to filter one liter, cost to build the filter, cost to maintain the filter, etc. In the future, we plan to test with different input values and see how the graphs change and the relationship to distillation changes.
To summarize our project, distillation is expensive and inefficient, which is cost-prohibitive for developing countries. The mangrove filters would provide much more water than distillation and be more cost-effective. If created and implemented, more people would have access to clean water than they currently do, and the world would have a method to turn its largest water source into a drinkable alternative.