Experimental Performance Investigation of Double-Slope Solar Still With Splitter Plate and Hollow Circular Fins

Abstract The present work aims to experimentally study the output production and cost analysis of conventional double-slope solar still (CSS), double-slope solar still with hollow circular fins (SSHCF), and double-slope solar still with hollow circular fins and splitter plate (SSHCFS). The motivation behind the use of fins and fins with a splitter in the existing conventional system is to elevate the area for heat transfer rate and increase the overall efficiency. The experimental results established that using splitter plate along with the fin inside the double-slope solar still (SSHCFS) increases the output yield of freshwater compared to that of the CSS and SSHCF. The average accumulated freshwater yield of 2.05 L/m2/day is achieved in the case of SSHCFS, which is 9.62% and 21.30% higher compared to SSHCF and CSS, respectively. The measured hourly efficiency for SSHCFS is 50.59%, more than 4.2% and 2.3% compared to SSHCF and CSS, respectively. Furthermore, a comparative cost analysis of distilled water for different designs is also presented.