Enhancing the performance of solar stills using porous materials and vibration: An experimental comparison of classic, wire mesh, and vibrating wire

Abstract

Solar energy offers a clean and sustainable method for water desalination, by using solar stills that convert thermal energy into freshwater through low-cost, eco-friendly technology. This paper presents a 6E (Energy, Exergy, Economic, Exergoeconomic, Exergoenvironmental, and Enviroeconomic) experimental study on the effect of porous material and vibration on the performance of a single-slope solar still. For this purpose, three types of solar stills were compared: a classic solar still, a solar still with wire mesh, and a solar still with vibrating wire mesh. The study was conducted in Farrokhshahr, Iran, which has a cold and dry climate. The results demonstrated that the use of wire mesh and vibration in solar desalination systems leads to an increase in basin temperature and improved heat transfer. The highest annual water production was achieved by the wire mesh and vibration, producing 889.26 L/m 2 per year (44.48 % more than classic solar still). The unit annual benefit for vibrating wire mesh solar still was the highest, at 222.31 $. The benefit-to-cost ratio for wire mesh solar still and vibrating wire mesh solar still was 24.22 % and 19.08 % higher than classic solar still, respectively, with the shortest payback period for wire mesh solar still. The energy and exergy payback periods for vibrating wire mesh solar still were 1.05 and 3.39 years, respectively, which are 30.46 % and 47.44 % shorter than classic solar still. The reduction in CO 2 emissions was 60.77 % and 37.99 % for vibrating wire mesh solar still and wire mesh solar still, respectively, compared to classic solar still. Daily water production in vibrating wire mesh solar still and wire mesh solar still was 2.540 and 2.248 L/m 2 , respectively, representing an increase of 44.48 % and 27.88 % over classic solar still.

Topics & Concepts