Numerical Investigation of Solar Still Desalination Efficiency across Different Salinity Levels

Abstract

This study presents the results of a numerical analysis of a solar still's (SS) thermal performance and water production. It is proposed that low-income isolated populations in need of potable water utilize an SS for desalination. The SS under six distinct salt concentrations (0, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 g/kg) are the subject of the study. Adding phase change material (PCM) beneath the water sink was done to offset the decline in productivity caused by an increase in salinity, as previous experimental outcomes published in the literature have shown. By comparing those with published experimental data, the mathematical model and numerical approaches were found to be valid. The relative difference in temperature was under 2% while the relative difference in water production was under 3.5%. Unlike competing mathematical models, this one takes into account both the temperature and salt concentration when calculating water parameters. From 0 to 30 g/kg of salinity, the findings show that daily production drops. For every instance, the water temperature, the temperature difference between the water and the glass, the cumulative and hourly productivity were shown. The analysis also includes the heat flow behavior between PCM and water.