Effect of energy storage material on a triangular pyramid solar still operating with constant water depth

Abstract

In the current study, the impact of energy storage material on triangular pyramid solar still operating under constant water depth is investigated in an experimental setting. Experiments were carried out in a pyramidal solar still with various types of energy storage materials to determine their effectiveness. To increase the amount of freshwater that can be obtained from the solar still, materials such as quartz rock, mild steel, and sieved red bricks were utilized as a part of the construction of the basin material. The conventional correlation method was used to calculate the evaporative and convective heat transfer coefficients based on experimental data. It is dependent on the kind of material utilized within the basin for efficient energy storage as well as the depth of water maintained whether or not the output of fresh water improves. As a result of using 1 1/4” red bricks within the basin rather than a typical solar still, the results indicate that the utilization of thermal energy storage inside the basin increased the output of fresh water by 30 %. Additionally, the yield of fresh water obtained was found to be 3.5, 4, 4.3, and 4.2 for 14-inch quartz rock, 3/4-inch quartz rock, 1-1/4-inch red bricks, and mild steel scraps, while the yield of fresh water obtained was found to be 3.5, 4, 4.3, and 4.2 Litres/day.

Keywords

• Energy storage
• Solar still
• Augmentation
• Potable water
• Localized heating