Experimental Investigation on the Performance of Four Types of Solar Stills in Malaysia

Abstract:

This study aims at improving a solar distillation still by comparing the performance of four types of double slope single basin solar stills to produce adequate amount of potable water in the areas with confined fresh water. These solar stills fabricated with similar shapes. In each solar still a stainless steel basin with the length of 50 cm, width of 30 cm and depth of 8 cm was utilized. The still configurations differed based on inclusion of 2 cm depth of sea sand layer in the basin, a layer of black paint in the basin and use of a 50 W PV-DC heater. The study was conducted to increase the potable water production under Malaysia tropical condition. A comparative research of cumulative water production among these solar stills showed that solar still with black painted basin was the more efficient; producing 234 %, 190% and 148% the potable water produced by a conventional solar still, solar still with sand layer in basin and solar still connected to a PV-DC heater, respectively.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 567)
• Pages: 56-61
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.567.56
• Online since: June 2014
• Authors: Ali Riahi*, Khamaruzaman Wan Yusof, Mohamed Hasnain Isa, Balbir Singh Mahinder Singh, Amirhossein Malakahmad, Nasiman Sapari
• Keywords: Black Paint, Potable Water, PV-DC Heater, Sand, Solar Distillation System

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