article · Ain Shams Engineering Journal
Fresh water production from solar still desalination depends significantly on the optical characteristics of the system glass cover. A validated mathematical model combining energy and mass transfer with optical parameters examines how transmissivity, absorptivity, and reflectivity govern yield and operational efficiency. Analysis for Matroh City reveals that an optimal fixed glass cover tilt angle of 21.7 degrees maximizes performance, with absorptivity between 0.086 and 0.112, reflectivity from 0.076 to 0.89, and transmissivity reaching up to 0.84. Adjusting this tilt angle on a monthly schedule rather than maintaining a fixed annual orientation increases annual distillate output by 2.5 percent. Additionally, increasing glass thickness from 5 millimetres to 20 millimetres causes daily water yield to decline from 6.6 kilograms per square metre to 5.2 kilograms per square metre, while efficiency falls from 31.5 percent to 24.9 percent.
Access to fresh water remains a critical challenge, making solar desalination an important renewable alternative. Understanding how simple structural choices like glass thickness and tilt angle affect clean water output allows designers to enhance distillation output without relying on costly mechanical additions, aiding efforts to provide sustainable water supplies and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
This theoretical and mathematical modelling work provides design criteria for engineers and manufacturers developing passive solar desalination units. The findings offer immediate guidelines for selecting glass thickness and implementing adjustable tilt mechanisms to maximise water yield. Because the research is based on validated simulation rather than industrial prototyping, it sits at an early stage of technology readiness prior to commercial deployment.
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This research investigates the impact of the glass cover's optical properties on fresh water production in solar still desalination systems. By examining the transmissivity, absorptivity, and reflectivity of the glass cover under different operating conditions, the study aims to optimize the yield and efficiency of the desalination process. A validated mathematical model is developed, integrating energy and mass transfer with the glass cover's optical properties. For Matroh City, the research determines the optimal tilt angle of the glass cover (21.7°) and reveals absorptivity values ranging from 0.086 to 0.112, reflectivity values ranging from 0.076 to 0.89, and increasing transmissivity values from 0 to 0.84. Furthermore, a variable monthly optimal tilt angle outperforms a fixed annual tilt angle, resulting in a 2.5 % increase in annual distillate production. The results indicates that with an increase in glass thickness from 5 mm to 20 mm, the daily yield and efficiency decrease from 6.6 kg/m2 and 31.5 % to 5.2 kg/m2 and 24.9 %.This research provides valuable insights into the influence of glass cover optical properties on solar still desalination performance, contributing to renewable energy-based desalination processes. The implications extend to the development of sustainable water sources, greenhouse gas reduction, and addressing water scarcity challenges.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.asej.2023.102589
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