Performance of the solar distillation pyramid type to desalinate seawater into freshwater

Abstract

The solution of drinking water for coastal communities is to desalinate seawater into freshwater through implementation of the solar distillation pyramid type’s technology. This technology utilizes solar thermal energy (greenhouse effect) to speed up the condensation process by watering the roof. This research aimed to determine the solar desalination pyramid type’s performance and determine the effect of flushing treatment on solar distillation. Seawater about 4000 mL was put into a seawater container of the solar distillation pyramid type. The heating process would be carried out by sunlight, which causes seawater to be evaporated on the roof. Flushing treatment was given on the wall to accelerate the condensation process, so the temperature differences between the ambient and the solar distillation pyramid were obtained. The water vapor will turn into water and drip on the glass room walls, thus stream down through waterways and reservoirs. The research results that the energy efficiency of the solar distillation about 52.93% and obtains fresh water about 2317 mL for three days of observation. Freshwater quality from the desalination process fulfills the Indonesian Standard (SNI) 01-3553-20215 of drinking water, with a salinity of 0%, pH of 6.5, EC of 8 μS/cm, and TDS of 9 mg/L. The efficiency of solar distillation pyramid type is about 52.93%. This technology is a widely feasible solution for coastal communities because it is straightforward to construct and achieves higher reliability and cost minimization.