Development and Economical Analysis of Innovative Parabolic Trough Collector Integrated Solar Still

Abstract

Experimental setup of the integrated parabolic trough collector (PTC) with solar still was developed. PTC was designed considering the solar geometry and the physical laws of parabolic shape and the concentrators. Test were conducted at the location with latitude 19.9975ON and longitude 73.7898OE. Theoretical analysis was done using ray tracing and engineering equation solver (EES) software while designing the system. PTC system was developed with dimensions of 1.5 m length, 1 m width and a concentration ratio (CR) of 21.22. Theoretical thermal efficiency was predicted as 48.1% whereas experimental average thermal efficiency is observed as 42.76%. The observed temperature difference between the vapor and the glass cover is about 17 °C and between ambient air and vapor is about 24.4 °C. Maximum water temperature in the conventional solar still was 64.6 °C where as for the PTC coupled solar still was 74.4 °C. PTC coupled solar still is having averagely 37% higher production rate. This has definitely added an advantage because of the higher energy absorption rate compared with the conventional solar still. PTC coupled solar still system has nearly 35% more heat absorption. Total embodied energy of the system is around 896.875 kWh. Total capital cost of the system is Rs. 41300/-. Total annual output of pure water is around 3 L/Day. Estimated energy payback period is around 2.29 years and the total carbon credit earned is Rs. 2165.38 per year.