PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT AND SIMULATION STUDIES OF A SINGLE SLOPE SOLAR STILL

Abstract

This study develops a computer programme using MATLAB® software for simulating a single slope solar still, based on published models for the solar still and its major inputs variable, the ambient temperature and the solar irradiance. Then the solar still is digitally studied for the effects of some variables on its performance. The effects of variables such as depth of water in the basin slope of glass cover, insulation thickness, solar radiation and wind velocity on factors such as the distillate yield, water temperature and efficiency of the still are investigated using derived models. The simulated trends show that the distillate yield, water temperature and efficiency increase with increase in insulation thickness, wind velocity and solar radiation. But decreasing water depth increases the above-mentioned parameters. Changes in glass cover slope have minimal effect on the still efficiency.