Desalination, Vol.130, No.3, 295-304, 2000
Parametric investigation of a basin-type-multiple-effect coupled solar still
Parametric analysis was performed for the basin-type multiple-effect coupled solar still with a triangle cross-section consisting of a horizontal basin liner and a number of vertical parallel partitions in contact with saline-soaked wicks with narrow gaps between the partitions, under dry weather conditions at 26.1 degreesN latitude. The productivity of the still increased in winter with an increase in the angle between the glass cover and the basin and decreased in summer. Int he spring and autumn seasons productivity had a gentle peak between a 40 degrees and 45 degrees angle. Increasing supply rates of saline water to the wicks and increasing initial mass of the basin water decreased productivity. With a decrease in diffusion gaps between partitions, productivity exponentially increased, and it also showed exponential increases with an increase in the number of distillation cells between the partitions. The productivity of the still of 13 partitions with 5-mm gaps and a 40 degrees angle of the glass cover was four times more than the basin-type stills, and the still was more productive than the conventional multiple-effect stills by about 40% or more.