LAPSE:2023.18036
Published Article
LAPSE:2023.18036
Updates on Evaporation and Condensation Methods for the Performance Improvement of Solar Stills
March 7, 2023
Abstract
Solar still, a small equipment using evaporation and condensation processes to get clean water, is expected to be widely used for sea/brackish water desalination, water purification, and wastewater treatment because of its convenient carrying, friendly environment, and low energy consumption. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in improving the productivity of solar still. This paper will reclassify the methods to improve the solar still by elevating the evaporation rate and condensation rate. The main methods increasing evaporation rate are as follows: (i) adding heat storage materials; (ii) using nanoparticles; (iii) changing structure of the absorption plate; and (iv) using photothermal materials. The primary methods increasing the condensation rate are as follows: (i) cooling the condensing surface; (ii) increasing the condensation area; (iii) changing the wettability of the condensing surface; and (iv) using a separate condenser. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are compared. Furthermore, this paper includes an economic analysis of current solar stills and a forecast of future developments. The freshwater cost of solar still is in the range of about USD 0.0061−0.277/L, which provides reference and direction for future researching solar stills on their low cost and high productivity.
Solar still, a small equipment using evaporation and condensation processes to get clean water, is expected to be widely used for sea/brackish water desalination, water purification, and wastewater treatment because of its convenient carrying, friendly environment, and low energy consumption. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in improving the productivity of solar still. This paper will reclassify the methods to improve the solar still by elevating the evaporation rate and condensation rate. The main methods increasing evaporation rate are as follows: (i) adding heat storage materials; (ii) using nanoparticles; (iii) changing structure of the absorption plate; and (iv) using photothermal materials. The primary methods increasing the condensation rate are as follows: (i) cooling the condensing surface; (ii) increasing the condensation area; (iii) changing the wettability of the condensing surface; and (iv) using a separate condenser. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are compared. Furthermore, this paper includes an economic analysis of current solar stills and a forecast of future developments. The freshwater cost of solar still is in the range of about USD 0.0061−0.277/L, which provides reference and direction for future researching solar stills on their low cost and high productivity.
Record ID
Keywords
condensation rate, evaporation rate, productivity enhancement, review, solar still
Subject
Suggested Citation
Fu H, Dai M, Song H, Hou X, Riaz F, Li S, Yang K, Ali I, Peng C, Sultan M. Updates on Evaporation and Condensation Methods for the Performance Improvement of Solar Stills. (2023). LAPSE:2023.18036
Author Affiliations
Fu H: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Health and Land Resource, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China; The Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
Dai M: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Health and Land Resource, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China
Song H: The Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; The Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization, Ministry of Natural Resources, Tianjin 300192, China
Hou X: The Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
Riaz F: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575, Singapore; Mechanical Engineering Department, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 59911, United Arab Emirates [ORCID]
Li S: The Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
Yang K: Instituto de Metalurgia, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí C.P. 78210, Mexico
Ali I: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China [ORCID]
Peng C: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Health and Land Resource, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China; The Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
Sultan M: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60000, Pakistan [ORCID]
Dai M: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Health and Land Resource, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China
Song H: The Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; The Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization, Ministry of Natural Resources, Tianjin 300192, China
Hou X: The Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
Riaz F: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575, Singapore; Mechanical Engineering Department, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 59911, United Arab Emirates [ORCID]
Li S: The Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
Yang K: Instituto de Metalurgia, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí C.P. 78210, Mexico
Ali I: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China [ORCID]
Peng C: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Health and Land Resource, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China; The Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
Sultan M: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60000, Pakistan [ORCID]
Journal Name
Energies
Volume
14
Issue
21
First Page
7050
Year
2021
Publication Date
2021-10-28
ISSN
1996-1073
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PII: en14217050, Publication Type: Review
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LAPSE:2023.18036
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https://doi.org/10.3390/en14217050
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Mar 7, 2023
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