Abstract
Solar distillation is a practical alternative for freshwater production in arid zones where seawater is abundant. The attractiveness of this approach resides in the simplicity of the solar still, equipment used to produce saline-free water for drinking, intensive agriculture, domestic use and other purposes. A solar still is an apparatus exposed to solar radiation that consists essentially of a basin with a solar collector where saline water is deposited and covered with a transparent inclined glass plate. The system operates as a greenhouse where the heated seawater evaporates and condensates on the inner surface of the cover. The distillate yield is collected in an external container. A research group in Mexico has been working for years doing research on the process of freshwater production with solar stills. Various research aspects have been addressed, among which are mathematical modeling of the physical phenomenon, practical research by building solar stills with different geometries and sizes, and the proposal of a process for mass-production manufacturing of solar stills with technology innovations. This paper is an overview of some of the most relevant results obtained by these research efforts.
Highlights
Maria Telkes research on solar distillation is one of the first works that addresses the topic in a formal and referenced manner [1]
The authors of the present paper have developed modeling and experimental work on the subject, to authors of the present paper have developed modeling and experimental work on the subject, to help help understand the physics of the distillation phenomena in solar stills that use this particular understand the physics of the distillation phenomena in solar stills that use this particular geometry
Some innovations are the possibility of embedding thermal insulation in the structure of the still, a single-piece or monolithic still, integrated distillate collector channel and distillate yield container, black polyethylene that avoids the use of an additional solar collector plate, environmentally friendly materials, and the possibility of using a glass or film polyethylene condenser
Summary
Maria Telkes research on solar distillation is one of the first works that addresses the topic in a formal and referenced manner [1]. It has a thermally insulated basin with a black absorber and covered with an inclined semitransparent condenser. Insulation plays an important role in solar distillation since it reduces heat losses through the bottom and side walls [2] Subsequent research validates these results in similar climate [3]. It has been observed that highest distillate yield is obtained with cover condenser tilted same as latitude, and that thinner glass cover thickness increases production. Subsequent research validates these results in similar
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