Investigating the Yield Improvement of Modified Passive Solar Still by using Nanoparticles

Abstract

Passive Solar Still Continues To Become A More Feasible And Cost-Effective Option For The Desalination Of Saline Water In Remote Villages. However, The Reported Efficiency Of Conventional Solar Still Was In The Range Of 30 - 45% And Its Yield Was Less Than 5 L/M2Per Day. A Significant Amount Of Heat Energy Is Lost Through The Basin And Sidewalls Of Solar Still To The Atmosphere, Which Is The Foremost Reason Behind Its Underperformance. This Is The Major Drawbacks Of Passive Solar Still That Need Improvement. The Analyzes Were Carried Out With Two Distinct Pyramid Solar Still: One Is A Modified Pyramid Solar Still With A Unique Combination Of Impactful Modifications Such As V-Corrugated Absorber, Nano-Coated Absorber Surface, Nano-Embodied Phase Change Material And Internal Reflective Mirrors, And The Other Is A Conventional Pyramid Solar Still That Serves As The Reference Case. The Methodology Followed To Achieve This Study Was Based On The Objectives Formulated. This Study Was Conducted By Reviewing The Scientific Literature And Then Performing A Theoretical Analysis Under The Solar Radiation Of Fantale Climatic Conditions. Due To The Difficulties Of The Transportation Of Setup, The Process Of The Experimentation Was Carried Out Under Adama?�?S Climatic Conditions. The Components Of The Solar Still Was Designed Based On The Daily Requirements Of Drinking Water Of An Average Rural Family And Constructed From Locally Available Materials. The Influence Of Several Parameters Like Effect Of Water Depth, Impact Of Proposed Modifications And Effect Of Concentrations Of Nanoparticle On The Proposed Solar Still Was Studied. A Thermodynamic Model Based On The First And Second Law Of Thermodynamics Was Conducted To Predict The Energy And Exergy Performance Of The System. The Yield Of Freshwater Obtained From Conventional And Modified Pyramid Solar Still Was 2.95 And 5.73 L/M2Day, Respectively, With Improvement Of 94.2%. The Average Thermal Efficiency Of The Conventional And Modified Pyramid Solar Still Were 43.9 And 63.72%, Respectively, With Enhancement Of 45.1%. The Average Exergy Efficiency Of The Conventional And Modified Pyramid Solar Still Were 2.2 And 3.7%, Respectively, With Enrichment Of 68.2%. Finally, The Water Quality Test Has Been Done For Saline And Distilled Water, Shows Good Agreement With World Health Organization Limit.