An approach to optimization of double basin single slope solar still water depth for maximum distilled water output

In the present era, pure water scarcity is one of the biggest dilemmas. A solar still may be the best solution to solve the water problem in remote areas. But due to its lower efficiency, the device is not quite commercialized. A single basin single slope solar still is simple and economical, but it has a very low yield of distilled water. A double basin single slope solar still may enhance the productivity of the solar still by utilizing the latent heat of condensation which is lost in the atmosphere in the single basin single slope solar still. In the present paper, the performance of the double basin single slope solar still has been evaluated for the various water depths at the location of 20.61 degrees N, 72.91 degrees E. The yield of the solar still has been measured for the various depths of saline water in the lower basin such as 0.01 m, 0.02 m, 0.03 m, and 0.04 m. From the experimental results, the daily distillate of 2.0241, 1.9441, 1.8921, and 1.7921per m(2) of the basin area and the overall efficiency of 24.56%, 24.00%, 23.33%, and 21.89% were obtained for the water depths of 0.01 m, 0.02 m, 0.03 m, and 0.04 m in the lower basin, respectively. Published by AIP Publishing.