Performance improvement in stepped solar still modified by sponge layer

Abstract

In this paper, the experimental investigation on the performance improvement of conventional stepped solar still is conducted. The steps are covered by the porous material to improve the performance of the conventional device and increase the evaporation rate. All the parameters, including the temperature on the glass surface, the water temperature inside the evaporation zone, and the amount of water produced in both conventional and modified stepped solar stills are measured and compared. The efficiency of two devices and their exergy efficiency have been calculated. Finally, the economic analysis of both devices has been done to check the economic feasibility of the modified device. The amount of freshwater generated during one day was 2244.4 and 3076.2 mL/m², respectively for the conventional and modified stepped solar stills. As a result, the amount of water produced in one day by modified stepped solar still is 35.5% more than the conventional one. Also, the costs for the conventional and modified stepped solar stills have been calculated as 0.0359 and 0.029 $/(L·m⁻²), respectively.

Keywords

stepped solar still / black sponge / efficiency / exergy / economic analysis

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