Journal
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
Volume 26, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2019.101019
Keywords
Solar still; Multiple PCM; Single slope passive solar still; Discharging process; Exergy analysis; Latent heat energy storage (LHES)
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In recent years, several research studies were conducted to enhance the productivity of solar stills. One of the approaches was the integration of latent heat energy storage mediums (phase change materials (PCM)) in the conventional solar stills to extend the water yield ability after the sunshine hours. Though several studies were conducted in this research area, none of the studies analyzed and reported the time of day at which the PCM start to release the stored latent heat, especially in the case of use of multiple PCMs. The present study is an experimental investigation that compare the thermal performance of three same-sized passive solar stills, i.e., conventional solar still (Still 1), still with single phase change material (Still II), still with two phase change materials (Solar III). The two PCMs used in still III are chosen in such a way that both the PCMs have almost same latent heat storage capacity, but different phase change temperature range. PCM1 and PCM2 used in solar still III have the phase change temperature (PCT) range of 58.03 degrees C-64.5 degrees C and 53.05 degrees C-62 degrees C, respectively. The experiments were conducted for the climatic conditions of Chennai, India during the month of February to May. The major inference from the experiments conducted is that, when multiple PCMs are employed in a still, selection of PCM with appropriate PCT range is very important. PCM1 should start discharging the stored latent heat energy stored once the solar radiation gets diminishing and PCM2 should start to release the heat when PCM1 has almost discharged the entire stored energy. By this way, the time of yield can be prolonged. In the results, the thermal performance of Still I, II and III was analyzed in terms of hourly yield per day and exergy efficiency. The yield of Still I was 3.680 L/m(2)/day while the yield of Still II and III were 4.020 L/m(2)/day and 4.400 L/m(2)/day, respectively. The exergy efficiency of still I, II and III were found to be 3.92%, 3.23% and 3.52%, respectively.
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