Modelling and simulation of a modular solar still constituted of a streaming plate collector and a condensation chamber

Abstract

In this paper, we present a numerical study of a modular solar distillation system working in natural convection mode. This still is constituted of a streaming plan solar collector and a condensing chamber. Equations governing the heat and mass exchange are established using the nodal method. The operation of the still is simulated for a typical day of the month with the weather conditions of Algiers (Algeria). Results show that solar radiation is the most important parameter of the system operation. The obtained distillate mass is maximum during the typical day of August, while the best performance of the condensing chamber is recorded during May.