Heat Transfer Enhancement of Solar Still using Phase Change Materials (PCMs)
S. Ramasamy1, B. Sivaraman2
1S.Ramasamy, Mechanical Engineering, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, India.
2B. Sivaraman, Mechanical Engineering, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, India.
Manuscript received on January 20, 2013. | Revised Manuscript received on February 10, 2013. | Manuscript published on February 28, 2013. | PP: 597-600 | Volume-2 Issue-3, February 2013. | Retrieval Number: C1132022313/2013©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: In the recent scenario, distillation process with solar still plays vital role for getting pottable water from brackish and sea water. In this paper, attempt has been made to enhance the productivity of the solar still with the help of LHTESS(Latent heat thermal energy storage sub-system). Latent heat storage in a phase change material PCMs is very attractive because of its high storage density with small temperature difference. For experimentation and comparison purpose, a Cascade Solar Still with and without LHTESS were designed and constructed for water purification with a view of enhancing productivity. Solar still of the present study mainly consists of stepped absorber plate integrated with phase-change energy storage sub-system or LHTESS and single slope glass plate. This setup will be placed at an angle of 25° to the horizontal. Paraffin wax is used as LHTESS due to its feasible general and economic properties [1]. The hourly productivity is slightly higher in case of solar still without LHTESS during sunny days. The disadvandages of phase change material is corrosion when in direct contact with metal pipings or housings [5].
Keywords: Distillation, Solar Still, LHTESS, Paraffin wax, salt hydrated phase change materials, PCMs.