A portable single-basin solar still with an external reflecting booster and an outside condenser

In this paper, a new design of a portable thermal–electrical solar still with an external reflecting booster and an outside condenser is proposed. The still minimises the loss of latent heat of condensation to the environment. The latent heat is accumulated in a condenser and can be used to preheat saline water for domestic purposes or to operate the still during night times. Preliminary results show that the efficiency of such still could be up to 77% if the preheated saline water is used for domestic purposes, and it could be up to 85% if preheated saline water is used to operate the still during night times and to recharge the still by the next batch of preheated water.

► External reflector and outside condenser increase the efficiency of a solar still.
► Net efficiency ranges between 77 and 85% depending on the desired usage.
► Recycled latent heat enhances output of distilled water up to 10 l/day m2.
► Equations to find the required tilt angle of the external booster are derived.
► The still entirely operates using solar energy, including running the exhaust fan.