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Parameters affecting the performance of a low cost solar still

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  • Ahsan, A.
  • Imteaz, M.
  • Thomas, U.A.
  • Azmi, M.
  • Rahman, A.
  • Nik Daud, N.N.

Abstract

This study aims at developing a low cost technique to be used in rural and coastal areas for converting saline water into potable water using solar energy. A triangular solar still (TrSS) was, therefore, designed and developed with cheap, lightweight, local and available materials. A number of field experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of solar radiation intensity, ambient air temperature and the initial water depth on the daily water production of the TrSS. A time lag of about and hour between the hourly peaks of solar radiation and water production is observed. Finally, a few essential relationships were attained, e.g. between the daily production and the initial water depth, between the daily production and daily solar radiation, and between the daily production and the average ambient temperature. The effect of the initial water depth in the basin on the daily water productivity was evaluated by varying the water depths (1.5, 2.5 and 5cm) with the climatic condition of Malaysia and an inverse proportional relationship was revealed between them. However, the daily water productivity is nearly proportional to the daily solar radiation. In addition, some important water quality parameters were tested in the laboratory to evaluate the distillate quality and were then compared with the drinking water standards.

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  • Ahsan, A. & Imteaz, M. & Thomas, U.A. & Azmi, M. & Rahman, A. & Nik Daud, N.N., 2014. "Parameters affecting the performance of a low cost solar still," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 924-930.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:114:y:2014:i:c:p:924-930
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.08.066
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    1. Sebastian, Geo & Thomas, Shijo, 2021. "Influence of providing a three-layer spectrally selective floating absorber on passive single slope solar still productivity under tropical conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    2. Ali Riahi & Nor Azazi Zakaria & Mohamed Hasnain Isa & Khamaruzaman Wan Yusof & Balbir Singh Mahinder Singh & Zahiraniza Mustaffa & Husna Takaijudin, 2019. "Performance investigation of a solar still having polythene film cover and black painted stainless steel basin integrated with a photovoltaic module–direct current heater," Energy & Environment, , vol. 30(8), pages 1521-1535, December.
    3. Yadav, Saurabh & Sudhakar, K., 2015. "Different domestic designs of solar stills: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 718-731.
    4. M, Chandrashekara & Yadav, Avadhesh, 2017. "Water desalination system using solar heat: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 1308-1330.
    5. Wang, Qiushi & Liang, Shen & Zhu, Ziye & Wu, Gang & Su, Yuehong & Zheng, Hongfei, 2019. "Performance of seawater-filling type planting system based on solar distillation process: Numerical and experimental investigation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 1225-1234.
    6. Xie, Guo & Sun, Licheng & Yan, Tiantong & Tang, Jiguo & Bao, Jingjing & Du, Min, 2018. "Model development and experimental verification for tubular solar still operating under vacuum condition," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 115-130.
    7. Abhishek Tiwari & Manish K. Rathod & Amit Kumar, 2023. "A comprehensive review of solar-driven desalination systems and its advancements," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(2), pages 1052-1083, February.
    8. Shoeibi, Shahin & Rahbar, Nader & Abedini Esfahlani, Ahad & Kargarsharifabad, Hadi, 2020. "Application of simultaneous thermoelectric cooling and heating to improve the performance of a solar still: An experimental study and exergy analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    9. Karimi Estahbanati, M.R. & Feilizadeh, Mehrzad & Jafarpur, Khosrow & Feilizadeh, Mansoor & Rahimpour, Mohammad Reza, 2015. "Experimental investigation of a multi-effect active solar still: The effect of the number of stages," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 46-55.
    10. El-Bialy, E., 2014. "Performance analysis for passive single slope single basin solar distiller with a floating absorber – An experimental study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 117-124.
    11. Karimi Estahbanati, M.R. & Ahsan, Amimul & Feilizadeh, Mehrzad & Jafarpur, Khosrow & Ashrafmansouri, Seyedeh-Saba & Feilizadeh, Mansoor, 2016. "Theoretical and experimental investigation on internal reflectors in a single-slope solar still," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 537-547.
    12. Gang, Wu & Qichang, Yang & Hongfei, Zheng & Yi, Zhang & Hui, Fang & Rihui, Jin, 2019. "Direct utilization of solar linear Fresnel reflector on multi-effect eccentric horizontal tubular still with falling film," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 170-184.
    13. Mohd Fazly Yusof & Mohd Remy Rozainy Mohd Arif Zainol & Ali Riahi & Nor Azazi Zakaria & Syafiq Shaharuddin & Siti Fairuz Juiani & Norazian Mohamed Noor & Mohd Hafiz Zawawi & Jazaul Ikhsan, 2022. "Investigation on the Urban Grey Water Treatment Using a Cost-Effective Solar Distillation Still," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-20, August.
    14. Chen, Q. & Kum Ja, M. & Li, Y. & Chua, K.J., 2018. "Evaluation of a solar-powered spray-assisted low-temperature desalination technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 997-1008.
    15. Al-Sulttani, Ali O. & Ahsan, Amimul & Hanoon, Ammar N. & Rahman, A. & Daud, N.N.N. & Idrus, S., 2017. "Hourly yield prediction of a double-slope solar still hybrid with rubber scrapers in low-latitude areas based on the particle swarm optimization technique," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 280-303.
    16. Ibrahim, Ayman G.M. & Allam, Elsayed E. & Elshamarka, Salman E., 2015. "A modified basin type solar still: Experimental performance and economic study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P1), pages 335-342.
    17. Obai Younis & Ahmed Kadhim Hussein & Mohammed El Hadi Attia & Hakim S. Sultan Aljibori & Lioua Kolsi & Hussein Togun & Bagh Ali & Aissa Abderrahmane & Khanyaluck Subkrajang & Anuwat Jirawattanapanit, 2022. "Comprehensive Review on Solar Stills—Latest Developments and Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-59, August.
    18. Dsilva Winfred Rufuss, D. & Iniyan, S. & Suganthi, L. & Davies, P.A., 2016. "Solar stills: A comprehensive review of designs, performance and material advances," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 464-496.
    19. Bhardwaj, R. & ten Kortenaar, M.V. & Mudde, R.F., 2015. "Maximized production of water by increasing area of condensation surface for solar distillation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 480-490.
    20. Muthu Manokar, A. & Kalidasa Murugavel, K. & Esakkimuthu, G., 2014. "Different parameters affecting the rate of evaporation and condensation on passive solar still – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 309-322.
    21. Wang, Qiushi & Zhu, Ziye & Wu, Gang & Zhang, Xiang & Zheng, Hongfei, 2018. "Energy analysis and experimental verification of a solar freshwater self-produced ecological film floating on the sea," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 510-526.
    22. Mohd Fazly Yusof & Mohd Remy Rozainy Mohd Arif Zainol & Andrei Victor Sandu & Ali Riahi & Nor Azazi Zakaria & Syafiq Shaharuddin & Mohd Sharizal Abdul Aziz & Norazian Mohamed Noor & Petrica Vizureanu , 2022. "Clean Water Production Enhancement through the Integration of Small-Scale Solar Stills with Solar Dish Concentrators (SDCs)—A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-27, April.
    23. Feilizadeh, Mansoor & Karimi Estahbanati, M.R. & Jafarpur, Khosrow & Roostaazad, Reza & Feilizadeh, Mehrzad & Taghvaei, Hamed, 2015. "Year-round outdoor experiments on a multi-stage active solar still with different numbers of solar collectors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 39-46.

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