Experimental investigation of a poly-energy multi-effect still in Algeria

Abstract

Abstract The present paper presents a realization of a poly-energy four-stage still, which can operate with three different sources of: electrical resistance (photovoltaic panel), photo-thermal solar collector and vegetable or animal waste. In this work, the effect of the position and the number of trays on the water productivity of a multi-effect still has been experimentally investigated for the first time. A plate was used, then placed in different heights, and then two and three and finally four trays were used. It is concluded that the effect of the tray position has a great influence on the production of distilled water in contrast to the number of trays, and when increasing the number of trays, the production of the distilled water is increased. The maximum production obtained from distilled water is 1 l/h.m². The use of a solar panel for the production of distilled water is unnecessary in oil-producing countries where energy is subsidized. These devices or their components are generally imported and their cost is very expensive. The damping time of these devices is very long.