INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONTROL, AUTOMATION, COMMUNICATION AND ENERGY CONSERVATION -2009, 4th-6th June 2009

Design and Performance Evaluation of Hybrid Solar Still

Rajesh .A.M a, Bharath .K.N b, Babu Kumar B R c
Abstract: Lack of adequate of fresh water has become a serious problem in several countries of the world. Drinking water consumption has been increasing with an ever increasing population. Availability of clean water is going to become one of the most pressing resource issues of the country. Often water sources are brackish and/or contain harmful bacteria and therefore cannot be used for drinking. . Even though there are various technologies available for purification of water harnessing solar energy fits the purpose for future problems A distillation is one of many processes available for water purification, and sunlight is one of several forms of heat energy that can be used to power that process. Measurements of various temperatures. Solar intensities, and distilled water production were taken for several days at various operating conditions for River water. An work is carried out in this direction in harnessing solar energy for providing clean water by fabricating single basin solar still integrated with a flat plate collector [FPC] A single stage basin type solar still and a conventional flat plate collector were connected together in order to study the effect of augmentation on the still under local conditions. The still inlet was connected to a locally made fin tube collector. The unit as operated with and without coupling flat plate collector .Hourly and daily measurement of still productivity. Measurements of various parameters, temperatures, solar intensities and distilled water production were noted between 8 AM to 5 PM sunlight day.25 to 40% enhancement in the yield is observed with this system. The various water tests were carried out in the laboratory and found that water is safe and pure for drinking. Solar distillation becomes very attractive in expensive long-term low technology system especially useful where the need for small plant exists Keywords: Solar distillation; Augmentation; Flat-plate collectors

I. INTRODUCTION
Lack of adequate of fresh water has become a serious problem in several countries of the world. Drinking water consumption has been increasing with an ever increasing population. Availability of clean water is going to become one of the most pressing resource issues of the country. A very small fraction, about 0.3% of the available water resources is available as fresh water. A drinking water shortage is expected to become one of the biggest problems facing the world. The supply of fresh water is finite .As population grows; there is less water per capita. At the current trend of growth, it is predicated that the global population will reach 8 billion by 2025 and the per capita water available will come down. The average amount of fresh water per capita may still be enough to meet human needs, if it were properly distributed. But equitable distribution is not possible mainly for two reasons.The first is, two thirds of the global population lives in areas receiving only one fourth of the global annual rain fall and the second is these is no systematic rainfall through out the seasons or from year to year.

Dept. of mechanical engineering, S.J.M.I.T , Chitradurga, Karnataka, India, E-mail -rajesh.am82@rediffmail.com b Dept. of mechanical engineering, Univ. B.D.T College of Engineering, Davangere, Karnataka, India. E-mail: kn.bharath@gmail.com c Managing Director, Nikitha Minerals Pvt Limited Donimalai,Sandur,Bellary Karnataka, India

India is a case in point. Supply of potable water to everyone is the biggest crisis facing the world today. In India the crisis in terms of spread and severity affects one third of the population. About 28 percent out of the total 0.575 million villages in India were identified as problem villages. Many villages have scarcity of any kind of water. Tiwari et al (2003) has reported that more than tw0-third of earths surface is covered with water. Most of the available water is either present as sea water or icebergs in the Polar Regions. More than 97% of the earths water is salty rest around 2.6% is fresh water less than 1% fresh water within human reach [10]. Lack adequate fresh water has become a serious in several countries of the world. Drinking water consumption has been increasing with an ever increasing population. Availability of potable water is going to become one of the most processing resource issues in future excess brackish water in drinking water causes of problem of taste, stomach problems and laxative effects control measure for this is accomplished by several desalination methods. Among all, solar distillation is an attractive process because of simple in design, manufacturing and operation. In addition the process is cost free energy. These advantages are generally offset by low productivity of fresh water enhancing the stills yield has been studied by several investigations. Suggesting various approaches Ahmad et al (1968) and Gomkale et al (1973) analyzed using different materials for the stills black liner. Satcunanathan et al (1973) analyzed with brine level. Sodha et al (1980) have done work with double roof stills.Zaki et al (1983) first person to introduce the concept of still augmentation by flat plate collectors. In the present work an

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONTROL, AUTOMATION, COMMUNICATION AND ENERGY CONSERVATION -2009, 4th-6th June 2009

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experimental study was conducted to enhance the yield of solar still by coupling with flat plate collector with natural circulation Even in planned localities of urban areas, tap water may not be safe to drink due to presence of contaminants. People have to either boil the water, or treat it with chlorine to kill bacteria before drinking. Drinking water standards are prescribed by various agencies such as world health organization (WHO), U.S. Environmental protection Agency (EPA), European Union (EU) and Bureau of Indian standards (BIS) etc. water with total dissolved solids (TDS) content below 600 parts per million (PPM) has good palatability and water with TDS above 1200 PPM is generally unacceptable to many, although acceptability may vary according to local circumstances. There are many methods of converting brackish water into potable water some of the processes which are now commercially employed area) Desalination b) Vapor compression c) Reverse osmosis d) Electro dialysis (a) Desalination : In this method , the brackish or saline water is evaporated using thermal energy and the resulting steam is collected and condensed as final product (b) Vapor compression: In this process of distillation water vapor from boiling water is compressed adiabatically and vapor gets superheated. The superheated vapor, is first cooled to saturation temperature and then condensed at constant pressure .This process is derived by mechanical energy. (c) Reverse osmosis: In this process saline water is pushed at high pressure through special membranes allowing water molecules selectively to pass and not the dissolved salts. (d) Electro dialysis: In this method water is passed through pair of special membranes, perpendiculars to which there in an electric field water does not pass through the membranes while dissolved salts pass selectively Ro is a globally accepted technology for treating feed water with TDS in the range of 500-10000 ppm. Recent advances in membrane technology and construction materials have made it an attractive option for large scale desalination. However Ro membranes used are sensitive to pH change. ED is designed to remove only about 50-75 percent salts in one stage so it is more suitable in treating brackish water. ED can compete with distillation is economic terms, where feed water salinity is less than 5000 ppm, and also with RO for salinity up to 10000ppm. Distillation can be applied to remove all types of contaminants at any concentration level. Energy requirements in distillation are virtually independent of initial feed water salinity. Distillation may produce water with TDS less than 10-20 ppm even from sea water; whereas RO treated water may have TDS in the range of 3000-5000ppm after one pass of seawater. Solar distillation (SD) and multiple distillations (MED) are some available options for distillation. To dispel a common belief, it is not necessary to boil water to distill it. Simply elevating its temperature, short of boiling, will adequately increase the evaporation rate. Distillation is one of many processes that can be used for water purification. This requires an energy input, as heat, solar radiation can be the source of energy. In this process, water is evaporated, thus separating water vapour from dissolved matter, which is condensed as pure water. The basic principles of solar water distillation are simple yet effective, as distillation replicates the way nature makes rain. The sun's energy heats water to the point of evaporation. As the water evaporates, water vapor rises, condensing on the glass surface for collection. This process removes impurities such as salts and heavy metals as well as eliminates microbiological organisms. The end result is water cleaner than the purest rainwater. The still is a passive solar distiller that only needs sunshine to operate. There are no moving parts to wear out. Solar distillers can be used to effectively remove many impurities ranging from salts to microorganisms and are even used to make drinking water from seawater. 2. Basic Principle

Fig.2.1. Basic principles of solar water distillation are simple Distillation differs from other forms of water purification because water is removed from the impurities rather than the impurities from the water. Water undergoes phase changes during the process, changing from liquid to vapor and back to liquid. It is the change from liquid to vapor that prompts a separation of water from its impurities. Impurities with a boiling point higher than water (100C) remain in the boiler. Water and impurities with a boiling point equal to or lower than water are converted to water vapor. When this vapor is condensed, only water and a few substances that boil at lower temperatures than water remain. The basic principles of solar water distillation are simple as shown in fig 2.1. The suns energy heats the water to the point of evaporation. As the water evaporates, water vapor rises condensing on the glass surface for collection.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONTROL, AUTOMATION, COMMUNICATION AND ENERGY CONSERVATION -2009, 4th-6th June 2009

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3. Methodology 3.1. Principle and working of solar water distillation unit Solar distillation can prove to be an effective way of supplying drinking water to such communities. The distillation is the process of making the water free from germs, external particles and other impurities, which cause human health hazards 3.2. The Principle And Working Of Solar Water Distillation/Desalination Unit With FPC (Flat Plate Collector) Actual working of the unit takes place, when the water is first fed into the pre-heater (FPC) from a small storage tank. Here, the water gets preheated and attains certain temperature. Now, by operating the valve, this preliminary heated water is fed into the main unit. Again this water in the unit gets heated and evaporation process starts The vapor condenses on the underside of the glass cover due to the lower temperature of the glass plate (nearest atmospheric temperature). The yield of the distilled water depends on the temperature difference between the water and the glass plate. This condensed water flows underside of the glass cover and is accumulated in channels provided and is collected at the outlet of the unit as shown in fig 3.1. Fig 3.2. schematic diagram of solar still alone The present work related to performance analysis of single basin double slope solar still coupled with flat plate collector located at university college campus (17051 N,74058 E).The evaporating basin inside is painted with black paint with double glass cover of inverted v-type at 350 slope. The basin is of 1m2 area filled with brackish water supplied to it from a collector which preheats the water to act as an enhancer to the solar still. The covers are tightly sealed to reduce vapor loss. The collector of 0.5m2 area is made of G.I sheets and tubes with a single glass cover of thickness 4mm is placed facing south at a tilt angle of 220. The still was positioned east-west axis with the cover facing north-south orientation to have maximum yield per day. This system was operated continuously in the month of may-June with and without coupling the collector. The work is targeted to enhance the still output through improving the still operating conditions by coupling with collector. The various parameters like basin water temperature, Enclosure vapor temperature, ambient temperature, glass cover temperature, collector water inlet and outlet temperature,. The systems were designed and fabricated keeping the following factors 1. Simple in construction, operation and maintenance 2. Rigid and firm enough to resist the worst environmental conditions 3. Local available materials are used as far as possible The instantaneous collector efficiency was found to be 44%. It is concluded that there is proportionality in distilled water production rate with respect to Still water temperature. Still water depth affects the amount of distillation and decreases with increasing water depth. The maximum water temperature will always occurred between 13 to 14 hour in both the cases. The peak production rate was noticed between 14.30 to 15 hour. And after 15 hour production rate decreases. The ambient temperature ranges between 260c to 360c.Further north side slope produces slightly more distillates than south side. The percentage of enhancement in daily productivity due to coupling of collector (3265 ml) was found to be 36% more than without coupling (1980 ml).The various other tests like chlorine content, total hardness, calcium content, PH value, were carried out in the

Fig3.1.schematic diagram of solar still with FPC 3.3. The principle and working of solar water distillation/desalination unit without fpc (flat plate collector) In conventional basis type solar still. The still consists of a shallow airtight basis lined with a black, impervious material, which contains the water. A sloping transparent cover is provided at the top. Solar radiation is absorbed in the black lining and causes the water to heat. This result in formation of vapor, which condenses on glass cover and is collected in the channels provided as shown in fig 3.2.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONTROL, AUTOMATION, COMMUNICATION AND ENERGY CONSERVATION -2009, 4th-6th June 2009

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laboratory and found that water is safe and pure for drinking. Thus. Solar distillation becomes very attractive in expensive long term low technology system especially useful where the need for small plant exists 4. Results And Discussions The maximum water temperature will always occurred between 13 to 14 hour in both the cases. The peak production rate was noticed between 12.30 to 14 hour. And after 15 hour production rate decreases. The ambient temperature ranges between 260c to 360c.Further north side slope produces slightly more distillates than south side. The percentage of enhancement in daily productivity due to coupling of collector (3265 ml) was found to be 36% more than without coupling (1980 ml).Fig 4.1, Fig 4.2, Fig 4.3 shows the variation of hourly temperature, solar intensity, and amount of water collected for hard water with solar still alone respectively. Fig 4.4, Fig 4.5, Fig 4.6 shows the variation of hourly temperature, solar intensity, and amount of water collected for hard water with hybrid unit respectively

100 90 80

100 90 Solar intensity(in mW/cm ) 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

2

Temperature (in 0C)

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

on

PM

PM 4. 00

AM

8. 00 A

9. 00 A

AM

10 .0 0

11 .0 0

No

PM

2. 00

PM

12 .0 0

Time(in hrs)
v.north-temp o.g.-south-temp
inlet.temp

1. 00

water.temp

o.g.-north-temp i.g-south-temp

Fig. 4.1. Time Vs temperature in 0C for the still alone during day light hours (8-5) hard water feed (Solar Still Alone)

3. 00

v.south-temp i.g.-north-temp

5. 00

PM

Fig 4.2 Solar Still Alone using Hard Water

100 90 80

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Water Collected(in ml/Hr)

Temperature (in 0C)

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

AM

AM

No on

PM

AM

PM

PM

PM 4. 00

8. 00

9. 00

.0 0

.0 0

2. 00

3. 00

1. 00

12

.0 0

10

11

Time(in hrs)
v.north-temp o.g.-south-temp
inlet.temp

water.temp

o.g.-north-temp i.g-south-temp

v.south-temp i.g.-north-temp

5. 00

PM

AM

Fig. 4.3 solar still alone using hard Water Feed

Fig.4.4.Time Vs temperature in 0C for the still connected during day light hours (8-5) hard water feed

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONTROL, AUTOMATION, COMMUNICATION AND ENERGY CONSERVATION -2009, 4th-6th June 2009

Fig.4.5 solar still with FPC using hard water

Fig.4.6 Solar Still With FPC Using Hard Water Feed

Table.4.1 Rate of evaporation, Amount of energy utilized in vaporizing the water are tabulated Type of water and Production rate, in liters operation Rate of evaporation In liters per hour
i

Qe=amount of

Percentage of Enhancement in the energy utilized mass of distilled water in vaporizing the using hybrid unit water (KW/m2),

hard water[bore well water] with FPC Hard water[bore well water] with still alone 4.1 WATER ANALYSIS

3.265

0.36277 0.22

8.518 5.165

39.35

1.980

4.1.1 Water Analysis Test Report [pre treatment of raw water and post treatment of distilled water]: To determine the purity of distilled water collected from the solar distillation unit. The following tests have been carried for the water entering and leaving the distillation unit Table 4.2 Indian Standard Drinking Water Specification [Is 10500:1991]

SI NO 1 2 3 4

Characteristics Total hardness pH Chlorides TDS

*Acceptable 300 mg/l 6.5-8.5 250 mg/l 300 mg/l

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONTROL, AUTOMATION, COMMUNICATION AND ENERGY CONSERVATION -2009, 4th-6th June 2009

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Table 4.3 Water Analysis Test Report

SI NO 1 2 3 4
5. Conclusions

Parameters Total hardness pH Chlorides TDS

Borewell water[feed water] 408 mg/l 7 172.99 mg/l 680 mg/l

4.

Distilled water [distilled output] 16 mg/l 6 22 mg/l 10 mg/l

Experimental investigation of the solar still collector system has shown that the productivity of the system was substantially increased in comparison with that of the still alone. The output of the unit increased with the use of preheater As the level of water in the evaporating unit decreases the time taken to attain peak temperature of water decreases Amount of water collected also depends on length of duration of highest temperature The productivity of fresh water by solar distillation depends drastically on the intensity of solar radiation and sunshine time interval during the day. The still productivity is found to be proportional to the solar radiation intensity Water feed, as follows: 1. The daily production of the still alone was about 1.5 to 2 liters 2. A slight increase in condensate production over that of the previous mode occurred when the still was connected to the collector during daylight hours only (8 am-5 pm). 3. The daily production of the still coupled with flat plate collector is about 3.5 to 4 liters

O.O.Badran, H.A.Al-Tahaineh, The effect of coupling a flat plate collector on the solar still productivityfaculty of technology. Mechanical dept,Al-balqa applied university, desalination 183 (2005) 137-142 5. T.V.Arjuna- Design and performance evaluation of solar still international conference-NREC-PSGTECH,Coimbatore 17-19 Jan 2003 6. .Ahmad.S.Y, S.D Gomkale, R.L.Datta, and D.S.Datar 1968 slope and development of solar stills for water desalination in India, desalination 5, 64-74 7. Gomkale.S.D and, R.L.Datta, 1973, solar energy applications in India, solar energy 14,321-325.Satcunanathan.s and H.P.Hansen, 1973.An investigation of some of the parameters involved in solar distillation. 8. .Sodha.M.S, J.K.Nayak, G.N.Tiwari and A.kumar.1980, Double basin solar still. Energy conservation 20, 23 9. Tiwari .G.N, H.N.Singh, Rajesh Tripathy, 2003, present status of solar distillation, solar energy, 75,367-373 10. .Zaki.G.M, T.Dali and M.Shafim.1983, improved performance of solar still: proc first Arab Int. solar energy conference Kuwait.pp331-335.

References
1. 2. Malik, m.a.s., Tiwari, g.n., Kumar a. And Sodha, m.s., 1982 Solar Distillation, Pergamon press oxford. Amit Kumar And Mahesh VipradasDevelopment and testing of a low temperature solar thermal desalination system- J SESI vol 14 2004 41-51. S. O. Onyegegbu Solar Distillation Of Pond (Muddy) Water- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria, Energy Convers. Mgmt Vol. 24, No. , pp. I-4, 1984

3.