Thermal-economic analysis of modular solar still under Algerian climatic conditions: effect of collector and condensation chamber area

Abstract

In this paper, a thermal-economic analysis of a modular solar still was investigated. For that, a modular solar still was designed. The collector area and the condensation chamber area effect on the productivity and distilled water cost were examined. Simulations were performed according to meteorological data of Algiers (Algeria) using Liu Jordan method. Results show that the surface area of collector increase increases the evaporated water and distilled water production at the same time. The average annual production passed from 482.35 L for 2 m 2 of solar collector to 2083.65 L for 10 m 2 of solar collector. On the other side, increasing surface of solar collector decreases the cost of distilled water. The cost of liter of distilled water varies between 0.12 and 0.04$ for 2 and 10 m 2 of collector, respectively. Also, when the condensation chamber area increases, the amount of the distillate water produced decreases.

Improving the water production of a solar still by adding an internal condensation chamber: A theoretical study

“…It was found that the evaporated water increases with the increase of solar thermal collector area. It was also found that an increase of the condensation chamber surface, decreases the annual average production of distillate water .…”

An Exhaustive Review on a Solar Still Coupled with a Flat Plate Collector

“…The payback time of 1.23 and 26.58 years was the minimum and maximum time at a selling price of $0.13 and a selling price equal to the production price, respectively. Kerfah et al [71] designed a modular solar still to numerically perform a thermal-economic analysis and investigate the effect of the collector and condensation chamber area on the productivity and the cost of distilled water. They found that increasing the collector area reduces the distilled water cost, while the amount of freshwater reduces by increasing the condensation chamber area.…”

“…Moreover, adding the second and third collector leads to 48% and 23% higher productivity in the summer, respectively (Figure 26). Kerfah et al [71] revealed that the increasing collector area leads to higher evaporated water which obtains higher freshwater. They obtained annual freshwater of 482.35 and 2083.65 L for collector areas of 2 and 10 m 2 , respectively (Figure 27).…”

“…The average efficiencies of the modified solar still at the southern and northern sides were 25.33 and 37.25%, while they were 13.87 and 30.73% for the conventional solar still, respectively. Figure 27: Effect of the collector area on the fresh water production [71]. International Journal of Photoenergy Al-harahsheh et al [72] desalinated saline water using the solar still applying a double-glass cover coupled with a solar collector and phase change material.…”

Comparative Study of Simple Basin Solar and Basin Solar Still with Additional Condensation Chamber Coupling to Flat Plate Collector

“…the first part consist to improve the evaporation by coupling the basin solar still with flat plate solar collector [1], a solar water heater [2], reflective plates [3], etc. The second part includes the improvement of the condensation by: the cooling of the glazing [4], the addition of a condensation chamber [5][6].…”