Effect of charcoal balls on distillation productivity in hemispherical solar stills: Experimental investigation and performance analysis

• Published in: Solar energy 2024-11, Vol.282, p.112954, Article 112954
• Main Authors: Attia, Mohammed El Hadi, Kabeel, Abd Elnaby, Elazab, M.A., Bady, Mahmoud
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Charcoal Balls; Hemispherical Solar Distiller; Productivity; Solar Energy; Surface Tension
• ISSN: 0038-092X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2024.112954

[Display omitted] •The performance of a conical solar still with charcoal balls in the basin is investigated.•Charcoal reduces the water surface tension, which enhances the solar stills’ productivity.•An experimental analysis is carried out.•Economic, CO2 mitigation and carbon credit analysis are studied.•Using charcoal balls in conical distillers is highly beneficial. This study investigates the enhanced performance of hemispherical solar stills by integrating charcoal balls. The method showcases improved efficiency by augmenting heat transfer mechanisms and enhancing solar radiation absorption. Reducing the surface tension of basin water is a solution to increase its heating, enhancing the softwater yield of solar stills. The novelty of the research lies in the innovative integration of charcoal balls to improve the performance of hemispherical solar stills. This method presents a unique approach to enhancing heat transfer and evaporation dynamics, potentially revolutionizing the efficiency of solar desalination systems. Therefore, the impact of charcoal balls at a diameter of 1 cm on the performance of distillation productivity was studied. A hemispherical solar still containing charcoal balls (HSS-CB) was compared with a simple hemispherical solar still (SHSS) in the same conditions. Experiments were conducted at El-Oued-Algeria in June 2024. The method employed in this research offers distinct advantages, primarily in its ability to enhance solar still efficiency by incorporating charcoal balls. These advantages stem from the increased surface area for heat transfer, improved solar radiation absorption, and potential enhancement of evaporation and condensation processes. Cumulative return results for SHSS and HSS-CB are 4.80 and 6.20 L/m2/day, respectively. The rate of improvement in the cumulative return was 29.16 % for SHSS using the quantity of coal powder. It is recommended that charcoal balls be used to boost solar stills productivity.