Employing a vertical wick, reflector, and Nano phase change material to improve the thermo-economic performance of a tubular solar still

Abstract

There is an increasing lack of drinkable water as a result of increased industry and population expansion, which has prompted scientists to arise with creative solutions to this demand. Solar stills are capable of producing drinkable water; however, they don't produce a lot of it. The objective of this study is to augment the yield, improve the thermal performance, and lower the price of the distillate produced by a tubular solar still (TSS). The effects of three modifications on thermo-economic performance of TSS systems have been studied and compared with a conventional solar still (CSS). The TSS has first been tested using a flat basin absorber, which shows 47 % thermal efficiency and 85 % higher productivity (5750 ml/m2) than a CSS (3100 ml/m2). In a second test, vertical wick (VWTSS) was used in place of a flat basin. The VWTSS displayed a 57.3 % thermal efficiency and a 155 % better productivity (8300 ml/m2) than CSS (3250 ml/m2). Thirdly, a back reflector was used to test the VWTSS. The productivity of the VWTSS with mirror (9350 ml/m2) showed 183 % higher than that of CSS (3300 ml/m2). Therefore, using a backside mirror causes the VWTSS output to increase by 28 % compared to the VWTSS without mirror. And the VWTSS with mirror has a 61 % thermal efficiency. Finally, using Nano-PCM, the VWTSS with mirror has been put to the test. As a result, the VWTSS demonstrated 209 % greater productivity (9900 ml/m2) than CSS (3200 ml/m2). The use of Nano PCM increased VWTSS productivity with mirror by 26 % compared to the VWTSS with mirror. The environmental parameter of VWTSS with modifications is 34.8 tons CO2 per year. The cost of freshwater is 0.028 and 0.014 $/L for CSS and VWTSS with reflector and Nano-PCM, respectively.