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This paper presents an experimental study using Fresnel lens to increase the overall efficiency of the conventional Single Slope Solar Still (SSSS) with single basin. The work aims to increase the performance of single basin conventional SSSS while maintaining the simplicity and usability of the system. Especially in the rural parts of Oman, the device is very simple to use. For the present unit, the conventional single basin SSSS has been fitted with an adjustable Fresnel lens. The adjustment enables the carrying out the experiments with and without the Fresnel lens at our Institute. The equipment was constructed from simple available materials and was placed north-south during the experimentation. The Fresnel lens fitted frame once adjusted in the morning was kept at same position for the entire day without tracking. The depth of water in the basin was maintained constant at 0.02 m during the study. The distillate yield for single basin SSSS fitted with Fresnel lens is observed 3 to 3.5 times higher than the conventional. The overall efficiency of the system has also increased almost 32.19 percent over the conventional. The quality of the distillate was assessed, which was estimated to be within limits in compliance with international standards. In conclusion, Fresnel lens has significantly improved the distillate production output and overall efficiency of conventional single basin SSSS.

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Purpose:The supply of pure fresh water is becoming a rising issue is many areas of the world. Clean water being a basic requirement is still unavailable to a large number of people. The fast development and growth in population and agriculture has helped to increase the need of clean water. The solar distillation is one of the most cost efficient ways to accomplish this. Methodology:When water evaporates from the basin of the still, it leaves the various impurities behind resulting in clean palatable water. Solar stills have a comparatively low yield but can be used to provide safe water options to rural areas of the world. To increase the yield of the solar still nano Al2O3 fluid is used,which is prepared using a dispersant of Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulphonate (SDBS). The still is a double slope basin type solar still with black paint coating on the inside and external reflecting mirrors, to enhance the yield. Main Findings:This project compares the efficiency and output of double slope solar still with and without the nanofluid. The single basin double slope solar still was fabricated using low cost durable materials and the 0.01 vol. % Al2O3 water based nanofluid was prepared. The results showed a positive outcome of a 15% increase in the rate of distillate collected with the use of nanofluids. The payback period was calculated to be less than 2 weeks without nanofluid and one week with the use of nanofluid. Implications:The present study is useful for obtaining pure drinking water at remote locations in Sultanate of Oman where solar energy is abundance. Novelty of Study: Nanofluids are used to enhance the distillation rate when compared to the conventional solar stills.

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