Performance enhancement of single slope solar still integrated with flat plate collector for different basin water depth

Abstract

In solar distillation unit major issues is with the lesser rate of distillation. The objective of this present communication is to improve the productivity output of solar still by preheating the saline water with external agencies. This work also promotes in finding the optimal water depth for better productivity and thermal efficiency. In the paper, conventional type single slope solar still (SSSS) has an integrated flat plate collector (FPC) arrangement. Outdoor experimentation has been performed for the active single slope solar still (SSSS) assisted with FPC to find the optimal basin water depth. Investigation has been performed in clear sky conditions on south-facing at an inclination angle of 23° latitude. The experimentation is being performed with varrying the different basin depths (3,6,9,12 cm) for solar still without flat plated collector and another is assisted with it. Various operating parameters have been investigated like hourly distillate output, Different temperatures, coefficients of heat transfer (hew) and (hcw). Result shows that the heat transfer coefficients mainly influenced by basin water depth in the solar still unit. The maximum productivity as well as thermal efficiency for the lower water depth of 3 cm in conventional solar still 0.727 l/day and 45.11% and it increases due to the additional thermal energy supply through FPC from to 1.59 l/day and 57.07% respectively under the same basin conditions. Results obtained at optimized conditions were in close agreement with the predicted responses of theoretical aspects. It is also revealed that nocturnal effect was dominating the responses at higher water depth.