Experimental and theoretical optimization of an inclined type solar still using PV sustainable recirculation technique

Abstract Solar stills are very useful in coastal and semi-arid areas, where the water consumption is low, though there exist a need to enhance its distillate productivity to viable its usage in areas of high water consumption. In this proposed research, a sustainable recycling technique had been implemented to boost the distillate throughput of an existing commonly used inclined type solar still. The developed inclined categories of solar still attached with a PV recirculation pump have been experimented and tested at Tirunelveli district, India (8.71390 N, 77.75670E). In this research experimentation, the feed water is heated to higher temperature by means of solar still, the obtained distilled water at higher temperature have been recycled to heat the inlet feed water, thereby the inlet water getting pre heated and the outlet water getting cooled easily in shortest time. As the outcome of the research, the effectiveness of the distillation process enhanced and more water can be collected from the solar still. As the result of the experimentations, it has been found that the black cotton cloths are having more diffusion effect and achieves a maximum productivity of 3.61 L/day. Recycling the hot water due to solar energy exhausted from the designed inclined solar still have been done with the PV recirculation pump, thereby the efficiency and productivity of the developed solar thermal desalination system have been enhanced to produce 4.43L/day.