Enhancement of Freshwater Production using Coir Fibre in Single Slope Solar Still

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to improve the solar still (SS) freshwater output by using Coir fibres (CF). DriedCF fibres were added to the solar still's absorber basin to increase the wet surface area and thus the rate at which water evaporates from the basin. Estimates of freshwater productivity were made for a variety of CF densities in the absorber basin, including 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 and 27. According to the findings, using SSCF with 18 fibres in the absorber basin boosted yield by 26.12%. In addition, the yield was improved by 13.16%, 18.29%, 23.46%, 23.89%, 15.17%, and 5.12%, respectively, when a solar still with 9, 12, 15, 21, 24, or 27 fibres in absorber basin was related to a conventional solar still (CSS). According to the numbers, SSCF has a 23.1% cheaper cost per liter of freshwater production than CS S. SSCF also has a shorter payback period than CSS. Costs associated with producing one liter of freshwater using SSCF were estimated to be roughly ₹189, whereas those using CSS were estimated to cost ₹232. The solar stills had a payback period of 5.12 months, whereas the solar panels took 6 months. Coir fibres in the solar still are preferable from an energy performance standpoint, but also from a financial one.