Potable water production through a low-cost single chamber solar still in north India.

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of a single slope solar still and to assess the effect of nanofluid on its performance. A single basin single slope solar still was designed and fabricated at the Department of Chemical Engineering, IET Lucknow. Its performance was assessed in terms of the yield of potable water. The effect of various climatic parameters was also studied. Al2O3 nanofluid was used to enhance the yield of the solar still. In the presence of nanofluid, the total yield of the solar still improved by 16.6%. Its economic feasibility was analyzed and reported. The portability of the small size of solar stills, its better economics, easy fabrication, and good performance make them very useful for industrial as well as household purposes.