Experimental study of a novel portable solar still by utilizing the heatpipe and thermoelectric module

In this study, an attempt has been made to design a new type portable thermoelectric solar still (PTSS). In the PTSS, a thermoelectric module is used to improve the temperature difference between evaporating and condensing zones. Also, a heat-pipe cooling device is used to cool down the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler. To evaluate the performance of the PTSS, the equipment was tested under the climatic condition of Semnan (35° 33′ N, 53° 23′ E), Iran. The experiments were carried out in 5 days. The measurement of solar intensity, wind velocity, ambient temperature, water production, and temperature of other components, for example, thermoelectric module, water, walls and heatpipe was done in the same manner for each day. The results showed that ambient temperature and solar radiation have a direct effect on still performance but there is a reduction in water productivity by increasing the wind speed. The results also showed that temperature of thermoelectric device was lower than that of walls which indicated on the higher production of water.

► Using a heatpipe instead of heat sink to cool down the TEC module.
► Higher temperature difference can be achieved by using thermoelectric modules.
► ΔT between water-wall and water-TEC was 9 °C and 34 °C respectively.
► The productivity is increased directly with solar radiation and ambient temperature.
► The wind has an inverse effect on productivity.