Abstract
In this work, we have selected three number of stepped type solar stills of the same overall dimensions 620 mm (W) × 808 mm (L) but with different absorber surface areas due to the variation in the shape of the basin surface. The other design parameters like depth of water, thickness of glass cover, insulation thickness, type of condensing cover, absorbing material provided over the basin, and angle of inclination of the still were kept constant to study the effect of shape of the absorber surface over the distillate yield obtained. The shape of the absorber surface provided in the basins of solar stills A, E and F was flat, convex and concave respectively. When the convex and concave type stepped solar stills are used, the average daily water production has been found to be 56.60% and 29.24% higher than that of flat type stepped solar still respectively. Also an economic analysis was made. The payback period of flat type, convex type and concave type stepped solar still is 823 days, 525 days and 637 days respectively. Thus, the convex type solar still gives the returns within the least possible time as compared to other two types of stepped solar stills. The laboratory tests were conducted to test the quality of water after distillation. The tests indicate that the quality of water in terms of pH, electrical conductivity, total hardness, TDS, Alkalinity, Nitrates etc. is well within the desirable limits as prescribed by WHO for Indian specific conditions.
Highlights
Water is one of the prime elements responsible for life on earth
The other design parameters like depth of water, thickness of glass cover, insulation thickness, type of condensing cover, absorbing material provided over the basin, and angle of inclination of the still were kept constant to study the effect of shape of the absorber surface over the distillate yield obtained
The volume of water contained in each step for the solar stills A, E and F is different as the shape of absorber surface is different for these solar stills
Summary
Water is one of the prime elements responsible for life on earth. It covers three-fourths of the surface of the earth. Most of the earth’s water is found in oceans as salt water, contains too much of salt, and cannot be used for drinking, growing crops or most industrial uses. The remaining earth’s water supply is fresh water. Most of this is locked up in glaciers and ice caps, mainly at the north and south poles. To augment the productivity of the single basin type solar still, several research works have been carried out. The works carried on a single basin type solar still are summarized as follows
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