Thermal management strategies for a portable double slope solar still with energy storage: An experimental study for enhancing the performance

Abstract

In this study, thermal management strategies aimed at enhancing freshwater production in portable double-slope solar stills, designed specifically for water-scarce regions, prioritizing lightweight and portable configurations, are investigated. The findings reveal poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) as the optimal slope cover material, achieving a freshwater output of 70 mL during peak hours under a 40° tilt angle. Additionally, this configuration demonstrates the highest daily freshwater production, an impressive 275 mL per liter of brine water in the basin. This study significantly enhances system efficiency by implementing insulation, a metal absorber plate, and phase change materials (PCM) enhancements. This culminates in substantial improvements across various scenarios: 40.5% (insulation), 36.6% (aluminum), 36.1% (PCM), and a remarkable 45.2% for the insulation/aluminum/PCM configuration. The combination design demonstrates an outstanding daily freshwater production of 385 mL, emphasizing the remarkable capabilities of these advanced thermal management strategies. These results underscore the transformative potential of advanced thermal management strategies, providing sustainable solutions for water-scarce regions. Moreover, the study addresses total dissolved solids (TDS) in distilled water, achieving an outstanding 95.8% reduction. Total dissolved solids levels drop from an initial 4970 ppm in saline water to below 200 ppm, aligning impeccably with World Health Organization (WHO) standards.