A theoretical and experimental study of the basin-type solar still under the arabian gulf climatic conditions

Abstract

The single basin solar still is examined theoretically and experimentally. The theoretical model, based on solving the time-dependent simultaneous energy equations for the water, basin and glass cover, proved to be accurate in predicting the effects of the saline water depth and insulation thickness, when the still cover angle is close to its annual-optimum value. An experimental investigation was designed to verify the theoretical model and to examine the influence of design parameters which are not accommodated in the theory, namely the cover tilt angle and the still orientation. Tests conducted in Doha over a 2-month period in the spring showed that the productivity of the still is very sensitive to variations in the solar energy input. The test indicated that the optimum transparent cover tilt angle yielding the maximum productivity is 12.5°. An east—west oriented still gave a slightly better yield than a north—south oriented still.