Hybrid solar-wind water distillation system

•Novel solar-wind hybrid system for solar distillers•Direct use of wind energy to thermal energy convertors via frictional heating•Increasing the productivity of solar distillers•Increasing the operating hours of solar stills during nights and in winter

In this study, a hybrid solar-wind water distillation system (HSWWDS) is proposed and studied. The system consists of a conventional single basin solar-still and a wind-water heater operating simultaneously. The advantage of the proposed system is its ability to operate day and night and, therefore, it produces larger quantities of distill water even in cloudy days with good winds. A simple model equations are constructed and simulated. Jordan's summer and winter climate conditions are considered to test the system and to estimate the monthly and annual yields. Results have shown a significant increase in the distillation output especially at times when the wind energy is significant at summer nights. Furthermore, the effect of the size of the wind turbine on the performance of the system has been studied and documented. The calculations showed that the yield can be three to four times more than conventional solar distillers.