Design, Performance, and Experimental Analysis of a Solar Still under Tangier Climate Conditions

Abstract

Abstract With increasing global freshwater demand, many countries, including Morocco, face critical water shortages. By 2040, Morocco is projected to face high water stress, worsened by droughts. This critical situation is further aggravated by rapid demographic expansion and recurrent droughts. In light of these challenges, desalination has emerged as a viable alternative for addressing water scarcity. In regions with abundant solar energy and access to seawater or brackish sources, the development of solar distillation technologies offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution for freshwater production, particularly in remote areas and refugee camps. This study presents the design, fabrication, and experimental evaluation of a single-slope solar still aimed at providing a decentralized and eco-friendly method for seawater desalination. Tests were conducted using a single-basin configuration to investigate the influence of water depth, solar irradiance, and temperature on system performance. The findings reveal that these factors significantly affect evaporation rates and, consequently, the volume of distilled water produced. The optimal performance was achieved at a water depth of 1 cm (8.5 L), with a maximum distillate yield of 2.545 L and a thermal efficiency of 32.4%, closely matching the theoretical predictions of 2.480 L and 33%, respectively.