Development and Performance Evaluation of an Economical Solar Still for Water Purification

Aim: The study aims to address the global challenge of clean water scarcity by exploring a cost-effective and efficient solar still for purifying various types of contaminated water using solar energy. Methodology: An experimental investigation was conducted using a solar still designed with acrylic sheets, an inner mirrored surface, and aluminum fins. The study evaluated the solar still's performance in purifying seawater, brackish water, and polluted water, comparing input and output water quality. The experiments were carried out with and without aluminum fins, using a solar still with an area of 0.25 m². Results: The solar still successfully reduced the total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, and pH of the input water. For seawater with an initial TDS of 14,700 PPM, salinity of 18.13 PSU, and pH of 9.15, the output values were 15 PPM TDS, 0.01 PSU salinity, and a pH of 7.4. The highest water volumes were achieved with aluminum fins: 410 ml for seawater, 380 ml for brackish water, and 380 ml for polluted water, compared to 170 ml without fins. The maximum water yield of 1.64 l/m2 was achieved for sea water using this solar still. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that the solar still, particularly when equipped with aluminum fins, effectively transforms high-TDS, high-salinity, and high-pH water into clean, potable water. The findings suggest that solar distillation is a viable solution for producing safe drinking water from contaminated sources.