Performance analysis of triple basin solar still with energy-exergy analysis approach

An experimental investigation was conducted on novel design of triple basin solar still with different modification in the climatic conditions of India. The triple basin solar still was modified with attachments of evacuated tubes (ETCs), heat pipes (HP), corrugated surfaces and energy storage materials called modified triple basin solar still (MTBSS). To get the more water in distillate output and higher water temperature solar still was designed with three basin area. From experimental results it was found that the total distillate output obtained by MTBSS during day and night was 16.46 l/m2 and 7.40 l/m2, respectively. The performance of MTBSS was also check by 4E (Energy, Exergy, Exergo-Economic, Exergo-Environmental) analysis for economical and environmental point of view. The generation of exergy for evaporation (Exe,bw-ig) and convection (Exc,bw-ig) for MTBSS (Modified triple basin solar still) were 24.03 & 1.30 (joule) respectively. The values of energy efficiency (ƞenergy) and exergy efficiency (ƞexergy) obtained for MTBSS were 31.89% & 3.04% respectively. An economic point of view, the CPL of water remains higher in MTBSS. The NPBT for MTBSS was 2.5 months. For environmental assessment, the CO2 mitigation for MTBSS was 0.48 t/year, based on the exergy approach. The additions of ETCs, H.P, corrugated surface, and ESMs with MTBSS are effective from an exergo-economic and carbon credit point of view.