Enhancement of pyramid solar distiller performance using thermal storage material

Abstract

The problem of fresh water shortage is a big challenge facing the world. So, the authors tried to make a modification on the solar still to improve its performance. This study aims at enhancing the freshwater from saline water via pyramid solar stills (PSS). Experimental work for sand beds PSS was conducted to enhance its performance; the sand was used as thermal storage materials. The effects of sand bed height on the performance of pyramid SS were studied. Experimental results revealed that the sandy layer improves the pyramid SS productions. In addition, the maximum increase in accumulated production of sandy pyramid SS was obtained at sand beds height of 1 cm. At 1 cm height of sand beds the accumulated productivity of the PSS and sandy PSS were 3000 and 4650 mL /m². day, with improvement of 55%, The environmental parameter of black SSS with vapor withdrawal and reflectors was 26 tons CO2 per year.