Factors influencing the productivity of a multiple-effect diffusion-type solar still coupled with a flat plate reflector

Parametric study was presented on a vertical multiple-effect diffusion-type solar still consisting of a flat plate reflector, a number of vertical parallel partitions in contact with saline-soaked wicks with narrow air gaps between partitions, and casters for manual azimuth tracking. The simple structure of the proposed still would make it possible for local technicians in developing countries to construct and operate it with common materials. However, poorness of construction and lack of operation skills of local technicians as well as low-grade materials would decrease the actual distillate production in practical operations. Therefore, we performed theoretical parametric investigations to determine the effect of these factors that could cause a decrease in the distillate productivity of the still, and found that although the distillate productivity of the still under practical conditions considering possible poorness of construction and operation skills would be about half of that under optimum conditions, the actual productivity under practical conditions would still be significantly greater than that of the conventional single-effect stills.