Title: Performance optimisation of a stepped type solar still

Authors: Jagnnath S. Gawande; Lalit B. Bhuyar

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajarshi Shahu College of Engineering, Buldana, India; Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, Maharashtra, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, PRM Institute of Technology & Research, Badnera, India; Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, Maharashtra, India

Abstract: The present study aims to optimise performance of a stepped type solar still under desert weather conditions. For effective experimentation, Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state in India was selected. Eight different configurations were designed and tested. The most important parameters affecting distillate yield like depth of water, glass cover thickness, shape of absorber surface and enhancements provided over basin were identified. A thermal model describing the performance of the still was developed by modifying the constants C and n which are used in the expression Nu = C (Gr. Pr)n. Using these values of C and n, convective, radiative and evaporative heat transfer coefficient for the solar stills were calculated. A general equation relating distillate yield with the selected design, climatic and operational parameters was developed to predict daily distillate yield. In addition to this, quality of distilled water obtained was tested and a cost analysis was performed.

Keywords: stepped type solar stills; distillate yield; absorber plates; sponges; fins; condensing glass covers; thermal conductivity; solar energy; solar power; desert conditions; India; modelling; heat transfer; distilled water; water quality; water depth; glass cover thickness; absorber surface shape.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRET.2015.072049

International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, 2015 Vol.6 No.4, pp.295 - 316

Received: 22 Nov 2013
Accepted: 18 Jun 2014

Published online: 30 Sep 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article