Enhancing the performance of solar stills using heating components: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Addressing the global water scarcity crisis requires innovative solutions in water treatment. Desalination offers a reliable and independent water source; however, challenges such as high energy consumption, environmental impact, and cost need to be addressed. Recent use of solar stills and other renewable energy integrations can significantly mitigate these issues. This review explores the advancements and modifications in solar still designs for heating components to enhance water desalination efficiency and productivity. The components discussed for heating or thermal management systems include nanomaterials, wicks, heat exchangers, phase change materials (PCMs), electric heaters, waste heat recovery systems, and photovoltaic cells. Innovations in cover materials and shapes impact factors such as heat absorption and condensation efficiency, contributing to overall improvements in freshwater yield. Solar stills with rotating cylinders were also used to increase surface area, which increased efficiency. Furthermore, various factors were studied, including wick materials, which contributed to a 27.65 % increase in productivity. Solar setups increase productivity by 214 % by improving heat transfer and energy efficiency. Immersed heaters have significantly increased productivity by 370 % in double-slope stills, 252.4 % in single-slope stills, and 232.9 % in hemispherical stills. Overall, the diverse landscape of innovations showcased in this review underscores the ongoing efforts to optimize solar stills for sustainable and efficient water desalination.