Enhancement the Solar Still Performance Using Chimney Exhaust Gases

Abstract

In this paper, a theoretical study is presented on enhancement of the solar still performance by using the exhaust gases passing inside a chimney under the still basin. The impact of the exhaust gases temperature on the solar still temperature, productivity, and efficiency are considered. The performance of solar still with chimney is compared with that of conventional solar still. The study is carried out under the hot and climate conditions of Upper Egypt. A complete transient mathematical model of the physical model including the solar still regions temperatures, productivity, and heat transfer between the solar still and the exhaust gases are constructed. The mathematical model is solved numerically by using fourth-order Runge-Kutta method and is programmed by using MATLAB. The mathematical model is validated using an experimental work. The results show that the solar still saline water temperature increases and productivity with using and rising the exhaust gases. Furthermore, the impact of using exhaust gases on the still performance in winter is greater than in summer. using chimney exhaust gases at 75 °C and 125 °C enhances the daily freshwater yield of the conventional still by more than three times and about six times in winter, respectively, and about two and half times and more than three times in summer, respectively.