A 4E analyses of pyramidal solar still with novel techniques for efficient desalination

Abstract

In recent years, substantial efforts have been focused on innovating solar still designs to overcome the issue of low water yield. The presents study investigated the integration of a pulsating heat pipe (PHP), fogger, phase change material (PCM), and fins in pyramidal solar still. The experiments were on three different solar stills, namely: Case I is a conventional pyramidal solar still (CPSS), Case II incorporates PCM and fins (MPSS1), Case III features a solar still with an ultrasonic fogger, PCM, PHP, and fins (MPSS2). The performance of the three cases was compared and assessed by analysing the freshwater yield, energy, and exergy efficiency, and conducting economic and environmental evaluations. The results indicated that the freshwater produced by Case III increased considerably compared to Case I and Case II. Case III achieved 7.96 L/m², representing improvements of 121.72 % and 38.19 % over Case I and Case II, respectively. Case III exhibited an average energy efficiency of 54.90 %, showing enhancements of 29.48 % and 47.58 % compared to Case II and Case I, respectively. Moreover, Case III exergy efficiency was 4.51 %, reflecting increases of 30.72 % compared to Case II and 58.24 % compared to Case I. Economic analysis indicated Cost per Liter (CPL) for Case III was $0.010, demonstrating reductions of 23 % and 33.33 % for Case III compared to Case II and Case I, respectively. The payback period for Case III was 125 days, showing decreases of 10.71 % and 28.57 % compared to Case II and Case I, respectively. Case III has shown the highest CO₂ mitigation in comparison to Case II and Case I. The treated water achieved potable standards with a pH of 6.98, effective salinity removal, and a reduced TDS of 72 mg/L. Study highlights that integrating PHP, fogger, PCM, and fins into Case I significantly improves water yield, energy efficiency, and economic feasibility, contributing to sustainable water production.