Performance evaluation of parabolic trough solar collector with solar tracking tilt sensor for water distillation

Abstract

The distilled water production by the application of the parabolic trough solar collector technology has its significant importance that still needs further exploration. The current study represents the modification of parabolic trough solar collector, with the using of solar tracking tilt sensor with the continuous water circulation rate of 0.22 kg/s to enhance the productivity of the parabolic trough solar collector, and the tracking system consisting of low-speed 12 V motor units of 0.75 r/min and torque of 50 N m was found suitable for the tracking mechanism. The collector received 476 W/m2 with the highest amount of distilled water up to 6675 ml/h m2 during the months of August and the 121°C temperature was recorded during the experiment. The efficiency was noted 31% for the month of August due to the highest absorbing solar irradiance. It was concluded from the results that the tested values of pH and EC in distilled water were decreased from the initial values with the process of distillation through parabolic trough solar collector. Further, from the results, it was concluded that the PTSC was working efficiently with the highest amount of distilled water with the solar tracking tilt sensor and higher efficiency from 08:00 AM to 16:00 PM during the daytime. Furthermore, recommended by the results of the experiment that the amount of distilled water produced significantly depends on the amount of energy input on the concentrator. At last, the distilled water quality was measured and the results were found acceptable for the standard of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Experimentally Investigated the Development and Performance of a Parabolic Trough Solar Water Distillation Unit Concerning Angle-Wise

“…m-2.day-1 with the solar chimney power generation-sea water desalination of the synthetic system. However, the results are not similar to the result [18], who observed that the average yield of distilled water was 2300 ml. m-2.day-1 in winter on the single solar wick type distillation plant.…”

“…Solar distillation plants can work by the natural water cycle, and it can receive the solar energy to warm the water so that the water boils and evaporates. The vapors are then condensed in distilled water forms as it cools down reported by [18]. The solar collector can be utilized for different purposes such as purification and distillation, dried water heating, heating of water for different purposes, lighting at night, and water pumping [19].…”

“…This plant required solar radiation as heat that can convert water into the vapors form. Therefore, for solar distillation, the 2260 kj.kg-1 energy is required to evaporate the water evaluated by [21].…”

“…Renewable energy provides a clean and nontoxic energy source. The key sources of energy are the sun, wind, biomass, waves and geothermal energy [18,19]. Solar energy can be exploited in the form of thermal energy by using different kinds of solar collectors for different purposes, i.e., dehydration of fruits & vegetables, water distillation and producing electricity [19,20].…”

“…Energy is an elementary need for agriculture and other industries [21,22]. Different resources, like wood, coal, fossil fuels and nuclear chemicals were used as foundations for energy, but all these sources are getting rare [23,24].…”