Performance enhancement of tubular solar still through magnetic field integration and vertical wick Configuration: Experimental investigation of multi-enhancement strategies
Shaaban M. Shaaban, Ali Basem, Suha A. Mohammed, Wissam H. Alawee, A. Aldabesh, A.S. Abdullah, Z.M. Omara, Fadl A. Essa
Abstract
This study investigates the performance enhancement of tubular solar desalination systems through innovative design modifications and system integration approaches. A modified tubular solar still (MATSS) was developed incorporating dual enhancement strategies: magnetic field application within the evaporation chamber and integration with vertical wick systems for spatial optimization and feedwater preheating. Additionally, a 2-cm composite layer of silver nanoparticle-enhanced phase change material (PCM + Ag) was implemented beneath the absorber surface to improve thermal management. Experimental evaluation demonstrated significant performance improvements across multiple system configurations. The baseline tubular solar still (TSS) achieved a daily freshwater output of 4100 mL/m 2 ⋅day, while the enhanced MATSS configuration produced 5900 mL/m 2 ⋅day, representing a 44 % improvement in productivity. Integration with wick systems yielded further enhancements, with the tubular-wick hybrid system achieving 10,220 mL/m 2 ⋅day (152 % increase), the corrugated wick-tubular configuration reaching 11,000 mL/m 2 ⋅day (165 % increase), and the comprehensive PCM-enhanced system attaining 12,750 mL/m 2 ⋅day (204 % increase compared to baseline TSS). Thermal efficiency analysis revealed a 60.6 % relative improvement for the optimized configuration compared to the conventional system. Economic feasibility assessment indicated competitive freshwater production costs of 0.013 $/L for the standard TSS and 0.009 $/L for the enhanced MATSS system. Environmental impact evaluation demonstrated an ecological indicator of 29.3 tons CO 2 /year for the MATSS configuration, with a combined environmental-economic parameter of 431 $/year.