Improving Solar Still Productivity with Phase Change Materials

Global population growth, industrialisation, and agricultural development are the main sources of the growing need for clean water. Soon, the shortage of fresh water will become a more pressing issue due to global population growth. Therefore, to produce drinkable water, individuals must work on developing innovative and effective methods all over the world. One of these devices that acts in this way is the solar still. This review article takes a look at solar stills and how they make use of efficient materials and experiments. A significant method entails the utilisation of paraffin wax alongside various Phase Change Materials (PCMs). The solar still is made more effective as a result of the increased productivity and thermal conductivity that comes from this combination. The integration of wicks in a modified solar still enhanced distillate yield and overall productivity. Another enhancing approach examined is the application of nanoparticles. Practical improvements in efficiency and heat conductivity were made possible by using these nanoparticles. Consequently, the solar still's thermal efficiency was improved, leading to an increase in the yield of potable water. Collaboration tactics utilising PCMs, reflectors, and nano-coating paint mixed with nanoparticles are highlighted in the article as highly effective. Thermal efficiency and freshwater generation were both greatly improved by combining these materials. The study reveals that among the many PCMs examined, paraffin wax demonstrates superior production and productivity relative to other alternatives. The innovation and improvement of solar desalination, the subject of this article, have relied heavily on solar stills. The solar desalination system operates better with paraffin-CuO than PCM, TiO2, or GO. Major Findings: Using PCMs such as paraffin wax and nanoparticles improves solar still performance, yielding 28.13%-60% more freshwater per unit area than conventional solar stills. Adding wicks, fins, and reflectors boosts evaporation rates and production.