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Improving the vertical solar distiller performance using rotating wick discs and integrated condenser
Mohamed Ragab Diab1, Fawzy Shaban Abou-Taleb1, Fadl Abdelmonem Essa2
1Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, 33516, Egypt.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
|March 31, 2022
Summary
Researchers enhanced solar stills for freshwater production. A modified vertical distiller with rotating wick discs and a vacuum fan significantly increased daily freshwater output and thermal efficiency, reducing costs.
Area of Science:
- Renewable Energy Engineering
- Water Desalination Technology
- Sustainable Water Solutions
Background:
- Freshwater scarcity is a critical global challenge, necessitating efficient and cost-effective purification methods.
- Solar stills offer a sustainable solution for producing potable water using abundant solar energy, particularly in remote areas.
- Existing solar distillation techniques face limitations in daily output and thermal performance, driving the need for innovative improvements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the thermal performance and freshwater yield of solar stills through novel design modifications.
- To investigate the impact of rotating wick discs and vacuum application on distillation efficiency.
- To optimize operational parameters for maximizing freshwater production and minimizing production costs.
Main Methods:
- A modified vertical distiller (MDSVD) was designed, incorporating two rotating flat wick-covered discs operating at 1.5 rpm and a 5 cm water depth.
- A vacuum system with an external condenser was integrated, and fan speeds ranging from 400 to 2000 rpm were tested.
- Experimental trials compared the performance of the modified distiller against a conventional type (CTD) under various operating conditions.
Main Results:
- The modified vertical distiller achieved significantly higher daily freshwater output compared to the conventional distiller.
- The integration of rotating wick discs and the vacuum fan led to substantial increases in yield, with improvements of up to 660.45%.
- The highest thermal efficiency reached 84.05% with the vacuum fan, and freshwater costs were reduced to $0.0164/L.
Conclusions:
- The developed modified vertical distiller with rotating wick discs and vacuum is a highly effective method for enhancing solar desalination.
- The system demonstrates a remarkable improvement in freshwater production capacity and energy efficiency.
- This technology presents a promising, cost-effective solution for addressing freshwater scarcity in off-grid and remote regions.
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