Energy, exergy and economic analyses of tubular solar still with various transparent cover materials

Abstract

In order to use solar energy to convert raw ground and surface water into clean potable water, several distillation systems have been investigated so far. However, to be sustainable, the productivity of these systems must be as high as possible. Tubular solar stills (TSS) were investigated as one of the more productive solar distillation systems. The current study aims to improve the productivity of tubular solar stills by exploring different cover materials. The experimental study was carried out on four different TSS setups with cover materials made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, acrylic, and glass. In comparison to other materials, it has been observed that the TSS with glass cover gives the maximum productivity (6.23 L/m2) and daily exergy and energy efficiency (7.67%, 71.56%, respectively) for the same water depth of 0.5 cm in each basin. According to the economic analysis of all the arrangements carried out, the TSS with Acrylic cover provides the lowest cost of producing freshwater among all of the investigated combinations.