Enhancing drinkable water production in conical solar distillers: Comparative analysis of magnet fin heights

• Published in: Solar energy 2024-04, Vol.272, p.112476, Article 112476
• Main Authors: Attia, Mohammed El Hadi, Elnaby Kabeel, Abd, Elazab, M.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Conical Distiller; Different heights; Energy storage; Fins; Magnet; Solar Energy
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2024.112476

•Using magnet fins as a reasonable storage material in a conical solar distiller enhance heat transfer, increase water productivity, and offer cost-effectiveness.•Accumulative productivity has an improving rate for CSD-MF-2, CSD-MF-1.5, CSD-MF-1, and CSD-MF-0.5 about 44.54, 32.73, 25.45 and 16.36 respectively.•System efficiency improving rate for CSD-MF-2, CSD-MF-1.5, CSD-MF-1, and CSD-MF-0.5 about 43.07, 31.79, 29.8 and 24.49%, respectively over the traditional one (TCSD).•CSD-MF-2 has the best performance with daily productivity of 7.95 L/m2/day and average system efficiency of 42.2 %. This paper presents a comparative experimental analysis aimed at improving the production of drinking water from conical solar distillers using magnet fins as a low-cost and efficient storage material. Cylindrical magnet fins with a diameter of 1.6 cm were strategically placed at various heights (2 cm, 1.5 cm, 1 cm, and 0.5 cm) with a spacing of 5 cm on the absorber plate to increase the absorption area and heat transfer to the basin water. Three modules were tested under identical conditions over a two-day period with a fixed water depth of 2 cm (corresponding to the maximum magnet fin height). On the first day, the Traditional Conical Solar Distiller (TCSD), the Conical Solar Distiller with Magnet Fins at a height of 2 cm (CSD-MF-2), and the Conical Solar Distiller with Magnet Fins at a height of 1.5 cm (CSD-MF-1.5) were evaluated. On the second day, the TCSD, the Conical Solar Distiller with Magnet Fins at a height of 1 cm (CSD-MF-1), and the Conical Solar Distiller with Magnet Fins at a height of 0.5 cm (CSD-MF-0.5) were tested. The results showed that the daily water yield from the TCSD at a water depth of 2 cm was 5.50 L, whereas the conical solar distillers with magnet fins at heights of 2 cm, 1.5 cm, 1 cm, and 0.5 cm produced 7.95 L, 7.30 L, 6.90 L, and 6.40 L, respectively. Consequently, the utilization of magnet fins led to a significant improvement in distiller productivity, with the best configuration being the CSD-MF-2 with a height of 2 cm, resulting in a 44.54 % increase in yield with an average overall efficiency about 42.2 %.