Single basin double slope solar still with minimum basin depth and energy storing materials

Solar still is a simple device which can convert available waste or brackish water into potable water using solar energy. A single basin double slope solar still with an inner basin size 2.08 m x 0.84 m x 0.075 m and that of the outer basin size 2.3 m x 1 m x 0.25 m has been fabricated with mild steel plate and tested with a layer of water and different sensible heat storage materials like quartzite rock, red brick pieces, cement concrete pieces, washed stones and iron scraps. It is found that, the still with 3/4 in, sized quartzite rock is the effective basin material. The still is theoretically modeled. In previous researcher's work, variation in transmittance is taken as constant. The variations in solar incidence angle and transmittance of the covers are also considered in this work. The theoretical values are compared with actual values. The theoretical water and glass temperatures and the theoretical production rate are having higher deviation with actual. Hence, another thermal model developed for this still is applied to validate the results accurately. It is found that, the theoretical production rate using thermal model agrees well with experimental. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.