Performance Analysis of a Modified Parabolic Solar Still for Brackish Water Potabilization

This article presents a new hybrid solar desalination system consisting of a double-slope linear desalination unit integrated with a parabolic cylindrical concentrator (PCC). The system was designed, built, and evaluated under real environmental conditions. The research displays the thermal and economic performance results of the modified parabolic solar still, which was developed by improving a double-slope linear. The system was tested in batch mode with different water blade (1.0 and 2.0 cm). Environmental, thermal, and volumetric variations served as the basis for evaluating the system’s parameters. It is noteworthy that the maximum productivity for the modified parabolic was 4133.3 mL m–2 day–1, compared to 2333.3 mL m–2 day–1 for the double-slope linear representing a 77.14% increase over the system without the parabola. Convective, radiative, and evaporative heat transfer coefficients were determined. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the system with the parabola were 69.29% and 8.71%, respectively, compared to 62.66% and 5.68% for the system without the parabola (for the 1.0 cm water blade). The water production cost per liter was US$0.024 for the system with the parabola and US$0.018 for the one without it. The PCC-integrated desalination unit was capable of producing a high volume of water that met drinking water standards analyzed.