Efficacy of forced condensation and forced evaporation with thermal energy storage material on square pyramid solar still

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 153; pp. 1307 - 1319
• Main Authors: Modi, Kalpesh V., Nayi, Kuldeep H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2020
• Subjects: Forced condensation; Forced evaporation; Productivity; Solar energy; Square pyramid solar still; Thermal storage material; Productivity; Thermal storage material; Forced condensation; Square pyramid solar still; Forced evaporation; Solar energy
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.02.095

Authors have attempted to investigate the impact of thermal storage material, forced condensation and forced evaporation on the performance of square pyramid solar still. The experimentation was conducted in three sets. First set was carried out with and without thermal storage (black granite) and variable water depth (20 mm and 30 mm). The daily yield of 1430.40 ml/m2 (13.96% higher) was obtained for the still with thermal storage at water depth of 30 mm. The second set was conducted for studying the impact of forced condensation and forced evaporation with thermal storage on the performance of still at 30 mm water depth. Compared to the still with forced condensation, increment of 33.24% was observed in daily yield for the still with forced evaporation. The effect of forced evaporation and thermal storage on yield and efficiency was compared with the still without augmentation at 30 mm water depth in third set. The daily yield of 2253.6 ml/m2 (61.48% higher) and the efficiency of 27.04% (61.53% higher) were achieved for the still with forced evaporation and thermal storage. The still with forced evaporation and thermal storage at water depth of 30 mm has proved most productive, efficient and economic. •Two identical single basin square pyramid solar stills were fabricated for the study.•Effect of thermal storage, forced condensation and forced evaporation was studied.•The still with forced evaporation and thermal storage found most productive at 30 mm.•61.48% rise in yield obtained at 30 mm with forced evaporation and thermal storage.•Potable water cost of ₹ 1.93/liter/m2 and payback period of 8.21 months was obtained.