THERMAL MODELLING OF CONCENTRATOR ASSISTED SOLAR DISTILLATION WITH WATER FLOW OVER THE GLASS COVER

Abstract

We present the thermal modelling of a concentrator assisted solar distillation system by incorporating the effect of water flow over the glass cover. Based on energy balance equation for each component of the system namely the flowing water, the glass cover, the water mass and the basin liner, an analytical expression for the temperature of the flowing water, the glass cover, the water mass and the yield have been derived. Further an expression for an instantaneous thermal efficiency as a function of climatic and design parameters have also been given. On the basis of numerical computation, it is inferred that there is significant improvement in the performance of a solar still due to water flow over the glass cover. The results have also been experimentally validated.