CFD Modelling and Experimental Validation of a Single-Slope Passive Solar Still for Efficient Water Desalination

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science (for Women), Hyderabad, Telangana 500104, India
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Anurag University, Hyderabad, Telangana 500088, India.

^* Corresponding author email - vishwanathmech@anurag.edu.in

Abstract

Water, vital for life, is largely unusable despite being renewable. Growing populations, urbanization, and pollution continually deplete the world’s drinking water supply. A third of the global population faces freshwater scarcity. Natural sources can’t fully meet demand, necessitating efficient water desalination. Solar stills, utilizing solar desalination, offer a low-energy solution, particularly beneficial in electricity-deprived rural areas. However, their potable water output remains a challenge. Hence, research on modelling and transport factors is essential for enhancing solar still design efficiency”. In this study, a multi-phase two-dimensional model of a single slope passive solar still was developed using Fluent, ANSYS 19.2. Using the simulated data, the solar still’s performance was evaluated against experimental data. The simulation model predicted a maximum distillate output of 0.0692 kg/m².hr, which closely aligned with the experimental value of 0.58 kg/m².hr, indicating strong agreement between the simulation and experimental results. The error percentage in terms of water temperature between the simulated and experimental results was found to be 1.55%.”