Enhancing the Performance of Double-Slope Solar Still Using Nano-Enhanced Eutectic Phase Change Materials and Steel Wool Fiber as Wick Material

Abstract

Abstract Energy storage in the form of sensible and latent heat is one of the prominent method to enhance the performance of any solar thermal system. Solar desalination is the viable method to convert the saline water into potable water but due to its lower yield, it can not be used as regular source of water. The current investigation deals with the enhancement in water yield of double slope solar still by embedding eutectic phase change material (PCM) (Myristic acid + Stearic acid), nano enhanced PCM and wick material (steel wool fibre). Ag2O3 nanoparticles at concentrations of 1.5 wt% were mixed in eutectic PCM to increase the thermal conductivity of nano enhanced PCM. The energy and exergy analyses of four various modified cases namely; CSS (Still without PCM), DSS-1 (Still with eutectic PCM), DSS-2 (Still with eutectic PCM and Steel wool fibre) and DSS-3 (Still with nano enhanced eutectic PCM) was carried out in central India (23.24° N and 77.41° E). The findings reveals that the cumulative yields for CSS, DSS-1, DSS-2 and DSS-3 are around 1.82, 2.44, 3.40, and 4.22 kg/m2. Additionally, DSS-3 cumulative fresh water production was around 132, 72.9 and 24.1% greater than that of CSS, DSS-1, and DSS-2 respectively. The average energy efficiency of DSS-3 was 49%, which is greater than CSS (22.21%), DSS-1 (30.42 %) and DSS-2 (41%). The findings also depict that the combined impact of PCM and nanoparticles displays an average exergy efficiency of 12.2%, which is greater than CSS, DSS-1 and DSS-2 by 3.18, 5.47, and 11%, respectively.