Performance Assessment of a Double‐Slope Solar Still Integrated with Adapted Phase‐Change Material in Bhopal's Climate

ABSTRACT Every day, there are more and more restrictions on access to fresh water worldwide. Numerous human illnesses are linked to contaminated or dirty water sources. Because of unforeseen circumstances and human‐caused water contamination, both developed and developing countries are currently experiencing severe water shortages. The productivity of a modified double‐slope solar still including phase change material (PCM) was assessed through an experiment. The enhancement was accomplished by a binary eutectic solution of stearic and palmitic acids. Stearic and palmitic acids were combined in a beaker, heated to 70°C, agitated for 1 h until homogeneous, and subsequently cooled to room temperature for solidification. They were thereafter placed into containers immersed in the water tank. All experiments were carried out in the winter climate of Bhopal. The average distilled water yields per square meter over the study period were 952 mL and 1083 mL for the traditional and the modified solar still (MSS), respectively. The mean percentage enhancement in freshwater output from the modified solar still (MSS) was determined to be 13.7% in comparison to that of the traditional solar still (TSS).