Journal Published Online: 13 March 2018
Volume 46, Issue 6

Combined Effect of Heat Storage, Reflective Material, and Additional Heat Source on the Productivity of a Solar Still—Techno-Economic Approach

CODEN: JTEVAB

Abstract

Food, water, and energy are essential for life on earth. Among these, water plays a vital role. Although it occupies a major portion (70 %) of the earth, good drinking water is always in short supply. Of this quantity, 98 % of water is salty and only around 2 % is fresh water. Desalination using a solar still is one economic method used to purify salt water. This article studies a single-slope solar still with three modifications: (i) sensible heat storage medium (SHM), (ii) heat recovery system (HRS), and (iii) reflective material on the interior surface. Modification by SHM and HRS enabled heat input and water output to be maintained during the night. Theoretical models were developed for the modified still. The productivity of the conventional still and modified still was measured experimentally in Tamil Nadu, India. The daily productivity increased by 21 %, from 3.4 kg m−2 in the conventional still to 4.1 kg m−2 in the modified still. The experimental results validated the theoretical results. Economic analysis of the solar still revealed that the approximate cost of distilled water per liter from a modified still was 4.7 % less than that from a conventional still. Hence, the modified still with SHM, HRS, and reflective material is technically and economically viable.

Author Information

Rufuss, D. Dsilva Winfred
Institute for Energy Studies, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University, Chennai, India
Iniyan, S.
Institute for Energy Studies, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University, Chennai, India
Suganthi, L.
Department of Management Studies, Anna University, Chennai, India
Pages: 15
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JTE20170013
ISSN: 0090-3973
DOI: 10.1520/JTE20170013