Performance enhancement of stepped double slope solar still by using nanoparticles and linen wicks: Energy, exergy and economic analysis. (25th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharshir, Swellam W.; Eltawil, Mohamed A.; Algazzar, Almoataz M.; Sathyamurthy, Ravishankar; Kandeal, A.W.
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 174(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06-25
• Subjects: Solar desalination -- Carbon black nanoparticles -- Linen wicks -- Stepped double slope solar still -- Fractional exergy -- Economic analysis; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.115278
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Highlights: The combined effect of LWs and CB on SDSSS was evaluated. The combination of LWs and CB enhanced thermal efficiency by 110.5% compared with TSS. The productivity of SDSSS integrated with LWs and CB was improved by 80.57%. Fractional exergy for convection and evaporation at different modifications was investigated. The freshwater with minimum cost was achieved by the new combination of LWs and CB. Abstract: This work aims to improve the thermal and economic analysis of stepped double slope solar still (SDSSS) that integrated with linen wicks (LWs) and carbon black nanoparticles (CBNs). The LWs and CBNs were used to increase the evaporation surface area and enhance heat transfer of basin saline water. The SDSSS with LWs and LWs with CBNs were evaluated, and compared with traditional solar still (TSS). The energy and exergy for convection and evaporation and exergy efficiency for different modifications were analyzed, and its costs were discussed. Results indicated that adding LWs and CBNs to SDSSS increased the freshwater productivity and energy efficiency by 80.57 and 110.5%, respectively, compared to TSS. The SDSSS fractional exergy of evaporation was the highest in the case of integrating LWs and CBNs with the solar still due to the high basin water temperature. This modification caused the highest exergy efficiency for SDSSS because of enhanced photo-thermal properties of CBNs, and heat storage characteristic of LWs. Economic analysis indicated that the total costs per liter of produced freshwater for SDSSS without any modifications, SDSSS with LWs, SDSSS with CBNs, and SDSSS with LWs and CBNs were lower than TSS by 13.73, 19.91, 23.83, and 47.22%, respectively.