Modeling and performance analysis of a solar desalination unit with double-glass cover cooling

In this study modeling and performance analysis of a single-basin solar still with the entering brine flowing between a double-glass glazing were investigated. The base area of the solar still is I m(2). The function of this arrangement is to lower the glass temperature and thus increase the water-to-glass temperature difference. This results in improved performance represented by a faster rate of evaporation from the basin. The performance of the still is compared with that of a conventional single-glass cover solar still under identical weather conditions. The results show that the relative performance of the stills depends on the level of insulation used. For perfectly insulated stills the conventional solar still is superior while the double glass is superior when heat loss exceeds a certain value. The hourly and daily productivities of the stills and the temperatures of the water and the glass covers were also predicted under the meteorological conditions of Muscat, Oman.