Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Analysis of a solar still with photovoltaic modules and electrical heater - Energy and exergy approach

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The availability of drinkable water, along with food and air, is a fundamental human necessity. Because of the presence of higher amounts of salt and pollution, direct use of water from sources such as lakes, sea, rivers, and subsurface water reservoirs is not normally suggested. Solar is still a basic technology that can use solar energy to transform accessible waste or brackish water into drinkable water. Exergy analysis is a strong inferential technique for evaluating the performance of thermal systems. Exergy is becoming more popular as a predictive tool for analysis, and there is a rising interest in using it. In this paper, performance analysis on the aspect of energy and exergy from the proposed solar still (PSS) (conventional solar still with the photovoltaic modules-AC heater) was analyzed on three different water depths (Wd) conditions (1, 2, and 3 cm). Using a solar still with an electric heater, the daily potable water production was found as 8.54, 6.37, and 4.43 kg, for the variations in water depth (Wd) of 1, 2, and 3 cm respectively. The energy and exergy efficiency of the PSS at the Wd of 1, 2, and 3 cm were 75.67, 51.45, and 37.21% and 5.08, 2.29, and 1.03%, respectively. At 1 cm Wd, PSS produced the maximum freshwater yield as compared to the other two water depths. When the Wd is increased from 1 to 2 cm and from 1 to 3 cm, the yield is decreased up to 27.3 and 52.7%, respectively. Similarly, the energy and exergy efficiency is decreased up to 36.8 and 53.2% and 50.4 and 80.6%, respectively. The water cost of the modified solar still is calculated as 0.028 $/kg for the least water thickness.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Figure 6
Figure 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Not applicable.

References

  • Abdullah AS, Omara ZM, Essa FA, Younes MM, Shanmugan S, Abdelgaied M, Amro MI, Kabeel AE, Farouk WM (2021) Improving the performance of trays solar still using wick corrugated absorber, nano-enhanced phase change material and photovoltaics-powered heaters. Journal of Energy Storage 40:102782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Nimr MA, Al-Ammari WA (2016) A novel hybrid PV-distillation system. Sol Energy 135:874–883

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Nimr MA, Kiwan SM, Talafha S (2016) Hybrid solar-wind water distillation system. Desalination 395:33–40

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Nimr MDA, Al-Ammari WA, Alkhalidi A (2019) A novel hybrid photovoltaics/thermoelectric cooler distillation system. Int J Energy Res 43(2):791–805

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alwan NT, Shcheklein SE, Ali OM (2021) Evaluation of distilled water quality and production costs from a modified solar still integrated with an outdoor solar water heater. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering 27:101216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Attia MEH, Bellila A, Manokar AM, Sathyamurthy R, Driss Z, Muthusamy S (2021) A comparative energy and exergy efficiency study of hemispherical and single-slope solar stills. Environ Sci Pollut Res:1–11

  • Bait O (2019) Exergy, environ–economic and economic analyses of a tubular solar water heater assisted solar still. J Clean Prod 212:630–646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balachandran GB, David PW, Alexander AB, Athikesavan MM, Kumar KKS, Palanichamy V, Kabeel AE, Sathyamurthy R, Marquez FPG (2021a) A relative study on energy and exergy analysis between conventional single slope and novel stepped absorbable plate solar stills. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28(41):57602–57618

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balachandran GB, David PW, Radhakrishnan V, Ali MNA, Baskaran VK, Virumandi D, Athikesavan MM, Sathyamurthy R (2021b) Investigation on the performance enhancement of single-slope solar still using green fibre insulation derived from Artocarpus heterophyllus rags reinforced with Azadirachta indica gum. Environ Sci Pollut Res:1–12

  • Balachandran GB, David PW, Rajendran G, Ali MNA, Radhakrishnan V, Balamurugan R, Athikesavan M, Sathyamurthy R (2021c) Investigation of performance enhancement of solar still incorporated with Gallus gallus domesticus cascara as sensible heat storage material. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28(1):611–624

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balachandran GB, David PW, Alexander AB, Athikesavan MM, Perumal Chellam PV, Kumar KKS, Palanichamy V, Sathyamurthy R, Marquez FPG (2021d) A relative study on energy and exergy analysis between conventional single slope and novel stepped absorbable plate solar stills. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, pp 1–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Benoudina B, Attia MEH, Driss Z, Afzal A, Manokar AM, Sathyamurthy R (2021) Enhancing the solar still output using micro/nano-particles of aluminum oxide at different concentrations: an experimental study, energy, exergy and economic analysis. Sustainable Materials and Technologies, p.e00291.

  • Chandrika VS, Attia MEH, Manokar AM, Marquez FPG, Driss Z, Sathyamurthy R (2021) Performance enhancements of conventional solar still using reflective aluminium foil sheet and reflective glass mirrors: energy and exergy analysis. Environ Sci Pollut Res:1–9

  • Dhivagar R, Mohanraj M, Belyayev Y (2021) Performance analysis of crushed gravel sand heat storage and biomass evaporator-assisted single slope solar still. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28(46):65610–65620

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elbar ARA, Hassan H (2019) Experimental investigation on the impact of thermal energy storage on the solar still performance coupled with PV module via new integration. Sol Energy 184:584–593

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elsheikh AH, Sharshir SW, Kabeel AE, Sathyamurthy R (2021) Application of Taguchi method to determine the optimal water depth and glass cooling rate in solar stills. Scientia Iranica 28(2):731–742

    Google Scholar 

  • Essa FA, Alawee WH, Mohammed SA, Abdullah AS, Omara ZM (2021a) Enhancement of pyramid solar distiller performance using reflectors, cooling cycle, and dangled cords of wicks. Desalination 506:115019

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Essa FA, Omara Z, Abdullah A, Shanmugan S, Panchal H, Sathyamurthy R, Athikesavan MM, Elsheikh A, Abdelgaied M, Saleh B (2021b) Augmenting the productivity of stepped distiller by corrugated and curved liners, CuO/paraffin wax, wick, and vapor suctioning. Environ Sci Pollut Res:1–11

  • Hepbasli A (2008) A key review on exergetic analysis and assessment of renewable energy resources for a sustainable future. Renew Sust Energ Rev 12(3):593–661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kabeel AE, Manokar AM, Sathyamurthy R, Winston DP, El-Agouz SA, Chamkha AJ (2019) A review on different design modifications employed in inclined solar still for enhancing the productivity. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering 141(3):031007

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kamal MR, Parandhaman B, Madhu B, Babu DM, Sathyamurthy R (2021). Experimental analysis on single and double basin single slope solar still with energy storage material and external heater. Materials Today: Proceedings

  • Kumar R, Singh DB, Dewangan A, Singh VK, Kumar N (2021a) Performance of evacuated tube solar collector integrated solar desalination unit-a review. Desalin Water Treat 230:92–115

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar HA, Venkateswaran H, Chamkha A, Athikesavan MM, Sathyamurthy R, Kasi K (2021b) Recent advancements, technologies, and developments in inclined solar still—a comprehensive review. Environ Sci Pollut Res:1–30

  • Manokar AM, Murugavel KK, Esakkimuthu G (2014) Different parameters affecting the rate of evaporation and condensation on passive solar still–a review. Renew Sust Energ Rev 38:309–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manokar AM, Winston DP, Kabeel AE, El-Agouz SA, Sathyamurthy R, Arunkumar T, Ahsan A (2018a) Integrated PV/T solar still-a mini-review. Desalination. 435:259–267

  • Manokar AM, Taamneh Y, Kabeel AE, Sathyamurthy R, Winston DP, Chamkha AJ (2018b) Review of different methods employed in pyramidal solar still desalination to augment the yield of freshwater. Desalin Water Treat 136:20–30

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Manokar AM, Winston DP, Kabeel AE, Sathyamurthy R (2018c) Sustainable fresh water and power production by integrating PV panel in inclined solar still. J Clean Prod 172:2711–2719

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manokar AM, Winston DP, Mondol JD, Sathyamurthy R, Kabeel AE, Panchal H (2018d) Comparative study of an inclined solar panel basin solar still in passive and active mode. Sol Energy 169:206–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manokar AM, Vimala M, Winston DP, Ramesh R, Sathyamurthy R, Nagarajan PK, Bharathwaaj R (2019) Different parameters affecting the condensation rate on an active solar still—A review. Environ Prog Sustain Energy 38(1):286–296

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muthu Manokar A, Prince Winston D, Kabeel AE, Sathyamurthy R, Arunkumar T (2018) Different parameter and technique affecting the rate of evaporation on active solar still-a review. Heat Mass Transf 54:593–630

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patel P, Kumar R (2016) Comparative performance evaluation of modified passive solar still using sensible heat storage material and increased frontal height. Procedia Technology 23:431–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petela R (2003) Exergy of undiluted thermal radiation. Sol Energy 74(6):469–488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phadatare MK, Verma SK (2007) Influence of water depth on internal heat and mass transfer in a plastic solar still. Desalination 217(1-3):267–275

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raturi A, Singh DB, Patil PP, Sharma AK (2021) Sensitivity analysis of a solar still of a single slope type included with N similar evacuated tubular collectors having series connection. Desalin Water Treat 234:309–323

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sakthivel M, Shanmugasundaram S (2008) Effect of energy storage medium (black granite gravel) on the performance of a solar still. Int J Energy Res 32(1):68–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sellami MH, Belkis T, Aliouar ML, Meddour SD, Bouguettaia H, Loudiyi K (2017) Improvement of solar still performance by covering absorber with blackened layers of sponge. Groundw Sustain Dev 5:111–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma SK, Mallick A, Singh DB, Tiwari GN (2021) Experimental study of solar energy–based water purifier of single-slope type by incorporating a number of similar evacuated tubular collectors. Environ Sci Pollut Res:1–20

  • Singh DB (2017) Exergoeconomic and enviroeconomic analyses of N identical photovoltaic thermal integrated double slope solar still. International Journal of Exergy 23(4):347–366

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh DB (2021) Sensitivity analysis of N identical evacuated tubular collectors integrated double slope solar distiller unit by incorporating the effect of exergy. International Journal of Exergy 34(4):424–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh DB, Kumar N, Kumar S, Dwivedi VK, Yadav JK, Tiwari GN (2018) Enhancement in exergoeconomic and enviroeconomic parameters for single slope solar still by incorporating N identical partially covered photovoltaic collectors. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering 140(5)

  • Singh DB, Yadav RK, Chaturvedi Y, Kumar M, Sharma GK, Kumar N (2021) Study on effect of dissimilarity of mass flow rate on energy metrics of solar energy-based double slope water purifier by incorporating N alike PVT compound parabolic concentrator collectors. Desalin Water Treat 231:27–43

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh DB, Bansal G, Prasad H, Mallick A, Kumar N, Sharma SK (2021a) Sensitivity analysis of N undistinguishable photovoltaic thermal compound-parabolic-concentrator collectors (partly covered, 50%) integrated single-slope solar distiller unit. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering 143(2)

  • Thakur AK, Sathyamurthy R, Sharshir SW, Ahmed MS, Hwang JY (2021) A novel reduced graphene oxide based absorber for augmenting the water yield and thermal performance of solar desalination unit. Mater Lett 286:128867

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thakur AK, Sathyamurthy R, Velraj R, Lynch I, Saidur R, Pandey AK, Sharshir SW, Ma Z, GaneshKumar P, Kabeel AE (2021a) Sea-water desalination using a desalting unit integrated with a parabolic trough collector and activated carbon pellets as energy storage medium. Desalination 516:115217

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thakur AK, Sathyamurthy R, Velraj R, Saidur R, Hwang JY (2021b) Augmented performance of solar desalination unit by utilization of nano-silicon coated glass cover for promoting drop-wise condensation. Desalination 515:115191

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thakur AK, Sathyamurthy R, Sharshir SW, Elkadeem MR, Ma Z, Manokar AM, Arıcı M, Pandey AK, Saidur R (2021c) Performance analysis of a modified solar still using reduced graphene oxide coated absorber plate with activated carbon pellet. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments 45:101046

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thalib MM, Vimala M, Manokar AM, Sathyamurthy R, Sadeghzadeh M, Sharifpur M (2021) Energy, exergy and economic investigation of passive and active inclined solar still: experimental study. J Therm Anal Calorim:1–12

  • Tiwari GN, Dimri V, Chel A (2009) Parametric study of an active and passive solar distillation system: energy and exergy analysis. Desalination 242(1-3):1–18

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yari M, Mazareh AE, Mehr AS (2016) A novel cogeneration system for sustainable water and power production by integration of a solar still and PV module. Desalination 398:1–11

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai, 600044, India

    Arani Rajendra Prasad

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 048, India

    Muthu Manokar Athikesavan

  3. Mechanical Power Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt

    Abd Elnaby Kabeel

  4. Faculty of Engineering, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt

    Abd Elnaby Kabeel

  5. Department of Bio Medical Engineering, Dr. N.G.P Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641 048, India

    Manegalai Govindan Sumithra

  6. Department of Mechanical Engineering, KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology, Arasur, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641407, India

    Ravishankar Sathyamurthy & Amrit Kumar Thakur

  7. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University Centre for Research & Development, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India

    Ravishankar Sathyamurthy

Authors
  1. Arani Rajendra Prasad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Muthu Manokar Athikesavan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Abd Elnaby Kabeel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Manegalai Govindan Sumithra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ravishankar Sathyamurthy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Amrit Kumar Thakur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Conceptualization, methodology, resources, formal analysis, writing - original draft preparation, review and editing, supervision and investigation were carried out by Ravishankar Sathyamurthy and Muthu Manokar Athikesavan

Writing-original draft preparation, review, and editing were carried out by Arani Rajendra Prasad, Abd Elnaby Kabeel, Manegalai Govindan Sumithra, and Amrit Kumar Thakur.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ravishankar Sathyamurthy.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

Not applicable.

Consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent to publish

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Philippe Garrigues

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Prasad, A.R., Athikesavan, M.M., Kabeel, A.E. et al. Analysis of a solar still with photovoltaic modules and electrical heater - Energy and exergy approach. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 57453–57465 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19674-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19674-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation