Improving the operating time of the multi slope shape solar still

ABSTRACT

The research aims to improve the productivity of freshwater yield by increasing the operating time of the single basin multi slope solar still (SBMSSS). It is achieved by the integration of the SBMSSS with a solar pond. The solar pond is storing the heat in the lower convective layer during the daytime and depends upon the solar radiation available. The stored heat is exchanged to preheat the brine in the daytime (8 am to 6 pm) and heat the brine in the nighttime (6 pm to 12 am). Normally, a conventional solar still operates for 10 hours (between 8 am and 6 pm), and operating time decreases according to the availability of solar radiation in the location of Chennai, Tamil Nadu (Latitude: 12.94° N, Longitude: 80.23° E). The SBMSSS is integrated with a solar pond (SBMSSS-SP) to increase the operating time to 14 hours (between 8 am and 10 pm) compare to SBMSSS. The productivity of the freshwater yield in the SBMSSS-SP is increased by 30.8% compared to the SBMSSS.

KEYWORDS:

• Solar still
• solar pond
• exergy
• desalination
• pyramid solar still
• multi slope solar still

Nomenclature

Table

Abbreviations

SBMSSS: Single basin multi slope solar still; SBMSSS-SP: Single basin multi slope solar still integrated with solar pond; SSSS: Single slope solar still; NaCl: Sodium chloride.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

S Arun Kumar

S. Arun Kumar is a Ph.D. research scholar in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. And he is working as an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Misrimal Navajee Munoth Jain Engineering College, Chennai, India. His primary research interests include solar desalination. His research work mainly focused on the performance enhancement of a solar still using cover shading method and thermal storage. He has published research papers in reputed International Journals in the field of Solar Energy.

P Suresh Mohan Kumar

P. Suresh Mohan Kumar is a Principal and Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Anand Institute of Higher Technology, Kazhipattur, Chennai, India. His primary research interests include renewable energy. He has published research papers in reputed International Journals.