Experimental Study of Solar Still Performance using Natural Energy Storage Materials

Abstract

Saline and polluted water can be purified using solar still method. Due to uneven solar irradiation the yield decreases, hence in the present study materials which can absorb solar irradiation and can retain it are used in solar still and their performance is studied. In the present study materials like pebbles, gravels and charcoal were used to store energy in the solar still. It was seen that there was an improvement in the performance of the solar still when materials are used compared to no usage of materials.  Further among pebbles, gravels and charcoal it was seen that charcoal had higher yield of 2250ml/m²/day whereas for pebble and gravel yield were 1210 ml/m²/day, 1620 ml/m²/day.