Effect of air flow on “V” type solar still with cotton gauze cooling

•We optimized the augmentation of the rate of condensation by uniform water distribution over a glass cover.•The effect of air flow on cotton gauze cooling was studied.•A simple cost-effective solar desalination method for rural arid regions

This work reports a “V” type solar still for water desalination with a Cotton Gauze Top Cover Cooling (CGTCC) with and without air flow over the glass cover. Water flowing over bare glass cover is not evenly distributed over the width of the glass cover. A new method of water distribution is presented using a CGTCC for increased distillate output. The fresh water production performance of this new still is observed in Tamilnadu, India climatic conditions (11° North 77° East). The water production rate with no CGTCC (water flowing over bare glass) was 3300 ml/(m2-day). However, with CGTCC production increased to 4300 ml/(m2-day), and with CGTCC and air flow, it further increased to 4600 ml/(m2-day). Experimental parameters such as glass temperature, inner air temperature, ambient air temperature, solar radiation and distillate output were recorded during sunny days, in March 2013. The CGTCC without air flow is more cost-effective than the basic still and should be promoted for rural arid regions in the world.