Performance Testing of a Modified Double Slope Solar Still with PCM Filled Hollow Coil Fins: Assessing Energy, Exergy, Exergo-Economic, Environmental Analysis

Volume 10, Issue 1, February 2025     |     PP. 27-54      |     PDF (1730 K)    |     Pub. Date: June 1, 2025
DOI: 10.54647/energy480253    18 Downloads     246 Views  

Author(s)

Lailatul Nehar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi, 6204, Bangladesh; Department of Industrial & Production Engineering, National Institute of Textile Engineering & Technology, Savar, Bangladesh
Tanvir Rahman, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi, 6204, Bangladesh
Md Shahiduzzaman Shahed, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi, 6204, Bangladesh
Md Yeamin Prodhan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi, 6204, Bangladesh
Md Sazan Rahman, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi, 6204, Bangladesh; Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems, University of New Hampshire, Durham 03824, NH, USA
S. S. Tuly, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi, 6204, Bangladesh

Abstract
Solar still, while cost-effective and energy-efficient, often face limitations in productivity that hinder its usability in fresh water supply. Several performance enhancement methods for solar stills are explored in this study through different modifications. Three configurations were examined: a conventional double slope solar still (Case I), a solar still with hollow copper coil-shaped fins (Case II), and a solar still with PCM filled hollow copper coil-shaped fins (Case III). Experimental investigations were conducted to assess the energy, exergy, economic, and environmental performance of these systems. The results indicate that integrating hollow copper coil-shaped fins significantly improved productivity, with Case II achieving a notable increase compared to the conventional one. However, the most substantial enhancement was observed in Case III, where the combination of hollow copper coil-shaped fins and PCM led to the highest productivity boost. Case III also demonstrated the most significant improvements in energy and exergy efficiencies, surpassing both the conventional and the fin-only configuration. Specifically, the use of PCM filled copper coil-shaped fins resulted in the highest yield of 1790 ml/day, where the conventional solar still produced 590 ml/day of fresh water. Further analysis revealed that the PCM-filled coil-shaped fins also contributed to cost savings and reduced environmental impact, including a reduction in CO2 emissions. The exergy sustainability indicators for the three cases showed that Case III provided the highest values in terms of improvement potential and sustainability index. In summary, the integration of PCM filled hollow coil-shaped fins with the double slope solar stills results in superior performance, demonstrating the highest efficiency and productivity improvements among the configurations tested.

Keywords
CO2 mitigation; copper coil fin; energy analysis; exergy analysis; PCM; Solar still.

Cite this paper
Lailatul Nehar, Tanvir Rahman, Md Shahiduzzaman Shahed, Md Yeamin Prodhan, Md Sazan Rahman, S. S. Tuly, Performance Testing of a Modified Double Slope Solar Still with PCM Filled Hollow Coil Fins: Assessing Energy, Exergy, Exergo-Economic, Environmental Analysis , SCIREA Journal of Energy. Volume 10, Issue 1, February 2025 | PP. 27-54. 10.54647/energy480253

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