Performance analysis of fin type solar still integrated with fin type mini solar pond

• Conventional single slope solar still, fin type solar still, mini solar pond, fin type mini solar pond were fabricated.
• Experiments were done during the summer.
• Fin type mini solar pond integrated with fin type solar still gave higher productivity.

The daily distilled water productivity of the single basin conventional solar still is limited. Many research works are being carried out to enhance the productivity of the solar still. In the present work, theoretical performance and experimental analysis of a conventional solar still, fin type solar still, fin type solar pond integrated with fin type solar still are investigated. The experimental work was carried out in the Tirunelveli which has the latitude angle 10°. The addition of the fins in the mini solar pond was definitely a plus in improving the thermal performance of the single basin solar still by increasing the overall water collection over 24 h. When fins were attached at the basin the heat transfer rate from basin to water was increased. Fin type mini solar pond with conventional solar still, fin type single basin solar still and fin type mini solar pond integrated with fin type single basin solar still have increased the water collection gain, which is estimated at around 47%, 45.5% and 50%, respectively.