Improving the yield of simple basin solar stills as assisted by passively cooled condensers

• Autores: A. Al-Turki, A. A. Fatani, G. M. Zaki
• Localización: Renewable energy, ISSN 0960-1481, Vol. 4, Nº 4, 1994, pág. 377
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The performance of a simple solar still assisted by a passively cooled condenser is modeled and investigated both analytically and experimentally. The present analysis, based on actual meteorological data, shows that the yield improvement depends upon the heat removal rate by the condenser and brine depth that determines the thermal inertia of the still. For a still with negligible thermal storing capacity (brine depth approaches zero) an auxilliary condensing surface reduces the daily yield. The yield improves for stills with brine depth up to 5 cm, and increasing the condensing area helps to remove the vapor from the still and hence improves the productivity.

    The yield has been measured for a still coupled to a passively cooled condensing plate, made of aluminum sheets with 2 cm gap allowing for natural convection of atmospheric air. The measurements showed an appreciable difference between the temperatures of the glass cover and the condensing plate. The condensing surface has provided an excellent means for vapor removal and the condensation rate is double that on the glass surface under the same conditions.

    The present analysis supported by the experimental work provides a basis for reconsidering the idea of enhancing the condensation process in solar stills using simple, inexpensive, passively cooled condensers.