Experimental Performance and Transient Analysis of Perched Cum Off-Center Wick Type Solar Still

Abstract

An effort has been taken to devise, engineer and construct a new single slope tilted-wick solar still incorporated with perched wick in the water reservoir to decrease the heat capacity and increase the evaporating surface to produce higher distillate yield. An effective analytical model is developed in the context of energy balance equation to study the momentary behavior of the proposed still. The influence of saline water stream rate on the concert of the still has been studied for various flow rates viz., 0.0025, 0.0035 and 0.0045 kg/s. The still shows good performance with higher distillate output for the rate of flow of saline water 0.0025 kg/s. Theoretical results based on the thermal model are intact with the experimental results and the model can be used to simulate the still in various locations, to optimize the design and operational parameters for long term installation.