Augmentation of a developed tubular solar still productivity using hybrid storage medium and CPC: An experimental approach

Abstract

The experimental study aims to develop and enhance the performance of tubular still under Egyptian conditions in order to overcome a problem of freshwater shortage in remote areas. This is done through the development of the design of the tubular solar stills through a modification in the design of the absorbent surface to be in the form of half two concentric cylinders containing hybrid storage materials and also added CPC in order to raise the intensity of solar radiation absorbed. To demonstrate the influences of the above modification on the performance of tubular solar still. The traditional tubular still and developed tubular still with hybrid store materials and CPC was designed, implemented and tested in the city of Tanta, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt during the period from July to August 2019 starting from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. The experimental results presented the accumulated productivity ranges between 5.79–5.94 and 9.56–9.81 lm−2 for conventional tubular and developed tubular stills, respectively. Also, a daily efficiency ranges between 37.2–38.1 and 44.2–45.3%, for conventional tubular still and developed tubular still, respectively. Improvement in the accumulated production and daily efficiency of developed tubular still ranges between 65.1–65.4 and 18.9–19.1% respectively compared to a traditional tubular still.