Experimental analysis and CFD modelling for pyramidal solar still. (2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, Aman; Maurya, Ambrish
• Is Part Of: Materials today. Volume 62:Part 4(2022)
• Page Start: 2173
• Page End: 2178
• Publication Date: 2022
• Subjects: CFD -- Pyramidal -- Solar still -- Thermal desalination -- Indian climate; Materials science -- Congresses -- Periodicals; 620.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2022.03.360
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7853

Abstract

Highlights: Pyramidal solar still is simple, cost-effective, and environment-friendly technology for production of potable water. Pyramid shaped solar still have less shading effect from side walls as compare to conventional single slope shaped solar still. CFD is a very useful tool for designing, demonstrating and predicting the behavior of pyramidal solar still. There is a decent agreement in results of experimental work as well as simulation work. Temperatures obtained in experimental work as well as simulation work follows the same pattern of the solar radiation intensity. Abstract: In order to get potable water for fulfilling the demand of increasing population, the desalination of saltwater with the help of solar still can be used. Solar still is a simple and reliable system to be used in arid and sunny regions, but it has the disadvantage of relatively low productivity. To overcome this limitation, different shapes other than conventional single slope solar still can be used. In this paper, we proposed new shape solar still, namely pyramidal solar still and present its experimental analysis and CFD modelling. The main purpose of this study is to anticipate the performance of pyramidal solar still using CFD model as it allows us to modify, at any time, the input parameters, in order to simulate different situation of use. Temperatures of mixture (air, water and vapor) inside the still, absorber plate (base of the basin) and glass cover on the top of still act as a driving mechanism for the performance of solar still and study shows that CFD modelling is very potent tool for predicting these temperatures as simulation results was in favorable agreement with actual experimental results for the climatic conditions of Patna, India.