Optimization of condensing tray shapes for a multi‐effect solar still coupled with parabolic solar collectors for domestic wastewater treatment: A comparative study

Abstract The issue of water depletion emerged as a life‐threatening problem for the world due to urbanization, groundwater over‐extraction, industrialization, and global warming. Current study aimed to address this issue by proposing a solution to distill wastewater using a multi‐effect solar still. The study optimizes two condensation tray shapes, U and V, based on the yield produced and the temperatures achieved. Two solar still units with four stages of U and V‐shaped trays were connected to a parabolic solar collector. To determine the optimal tray shapes, a rigorous optimization process was carried out using SolidWorks 2020. The optimization process yielded optimum heat flux values of 3.04e 01 and 2.84e 01 W/m 2 for U and V‐shaped trays, respectively. Higher the value of heat flux suggested more energy available for condensation. Which was corroborated by physical findings that the U‐shaped condensation tray was more efficient, producing an average per day yield of 2.519 L/m 2 h compared to the V‐shaped tray's yield of 2.041 L/m 2 h. The findings provide strong evidence that the U‐shape is a better tray shape for condensation purposes. Maximum yield for both units was observed during the peak temperature time between (13:00–15:00 h), indicating a direct correlation between yield and atmospheric temperature.