4E assessment of pyramid distiller performance utilizing V-corrugated wick material and TiO2 nanoparticles with hybrid solar heating

Abstract

This study aims to increase freshwater productivity and thermal performance while improving the economic determinant of the traditional square pyramid distiller. The study was conducted on four modified pyramid distillation systems and their impact on 4E (Energy, Exergy, Economic, and Environmental). The V-corrugated wick material was combined with the water basin in the first configuration (AHPSS-1). The second system uses the same components but integrates a Solar Air Heater (SAH) to raise the water temperature (AHPSS-2). In the third proposed system, a hybrid solar heating system was used by combining a PV-powered electric heater with the previous system (AHPSS-3). The fourth configuration was similar to the third but with the addition of titanium oxide nanoparticles in the water to augment heat transfer performance (AHPSS-4). Thermal analysis of the proposed systems was performed to evaluate their thermal performance in various aspects of energy and exergy efficiency relative to the Conventional Pyramid Distiller (CPSS). In addition, an economic and environmental analysis was conducted for each case of the proposed systems. The outcomes showed an apparent enhancement in thermal and economic analyses versus the CPSS for the four proposed systems. Moreover, there was an improvement in productivity by 27.6, 102.5, 147.8 and 161.5 % for AHPSS-1, AHPSS-2, AHPSS-3, and AHPSS-4 severally. Consequently, the performance of the fourth proposed system was optimum compared to other cases, where the total freshwater yield of the conventional and novel pyramid solar distiller reached 3.9 and 10.2 L/m2. In addition, the daily thermal efficiency and the cost of one liter reached 69.8% and 0.011 USD. Furthermore, the annual CO2 emissions for the modified configuration were estimated at 9.44 and 19.75 tons/year versus 7.48 tons/year for CPSS. Also, the enviroeconomic parameters ranged from 136.81 to 286.35 USD/year.