Improving the performance of trays solar still using wick corrugated absorber, nano-enhanced phase change material and photovoltaics-powered heaters

In this study, an experimental work has been conducted to augment the performance of trays solar still. The absorber surface area and rate of heat transfer between the absorber and the saline water have been increased. Hence, the trays solar stills with flat and corrugated absorber configurations were investigated. Three solar stills have been fabricated and tested. The tested solar stills are flat trays solar still (FTSS), corrugated trays solar still (CTSS), and conventional solar still (CSS). Wick material has been used to cover the corrugated where the wick feed water flows very slowly through the porous material upward. For further improvement of trays solar still performance, phase change material (PCM) mixed with CuO nanoparticles has been used to test the CTSS. Also, three electric heaters have been used to heat the basin water. The heaters derived their energy directly from a PV module. The PV module was installed directly beside the back side of the solar still thereby utilizing the same solar still space. Experimental results obtained showed that, the total freshwater yield of the CTSS was improved by 150 and 122% when using electric heaters and the and PCM with CuO nanoparticles, respectively, over that of the CSS. In addition, the total water production of the CTSS was improved by 180% when using corrugated absorber, PCM mixed with CuO nanoparticles and electrical heaters in comparison to the CSS.