A case study on single basin solar still augmented with wax filled metallic cylinders

Abstract

This experimental study introduces a novel approach to enhancing solar still performance through the integration of wax-filled rods, marking a significant advancement in solar desalination technology. These rods, innovatively designed to absorb and store both sensible and latent heat during peak solar radiation hours, release this stored energy gradually, particularly during the evening and night. This unique mechanism results in a notable and consistent increase in water temperature within the modified solar still after 17:00, setting it apart from conventional models. The study's findings reveal that the modified solar still achieves a 12.8 % higher cumulative distillate yield and a 16.3 % increase in efficiency compared to traditional solar stills. Furthermore, this enhancement translates into a 6.3 % reduction in distillate production costs, underscoring the economic viability and superior performance of the modified design.

Keywords

• Solar still
• Desalination
• Phase change material
• Latent heat storage
• Cost analysis