An experimental study of a single-slope solar still with innovative side-troughs under natural circulation mode

Modifying the conventional solar still with the aim of augmenting its yield has been a long serious concern. Therefore, the main purpose of the present study was to experimentally investigate the effects of some parameters, on top the novel modification of attaching side troughs to side glass walls, on solar still yield. Hence, for each case the modified solar still (TSS) yield, as a decisive factor, was compared with that of a conventional one (CUSS) and the degree of impact was determined. It was observed that, opposed to preliminary assumption, shading the top glass cover as the condensing element significantly reduced the yield while side-attached troughs augmented the still yield remarkably and a significant improvement in fresh water output was achieved. Finally, the daily efficiency, for each modification applied, was calculated and it was observed that except for the modifications including shading, remarkable improvements were gained and TSS could reach a daily efficiency around 81.72% relative to that of CUSS.