Dimensionless parameter for assessing a solar still's production

Dimensionless analysis is employed in order to group together those variables involved in solar water distillation, based on evapotranspiration. These include the evaporation surface area and the concentration of water in the solution. A dimensionless parameter is devised to correlate their function...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Desalination 2011-10, Vol.281, p.105-110
Main Authors: Silva-Martinez, Ana Elisa, Martinez-Pereda, Pedro, Fernandez-Zayas, Jose Luis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Chemical engineering
Correlation
desalination
Dimensionless analysis
Dimensionless parameter
Distillation
Drinking water and swimming-pool water. Desalination
Evaporation
Evaporation surface
Evaporative
evapotranspiration
Evapotranspiration surface area
Exact sciences and technology
fabrics
Land
Materials handling
Mathematical models
Natural water pollution
Pollution
ponds
porous media
Seawater desalination
Seawaters, estuaries
Solar stills
surface area
trees
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:Dimensionless analysis is employed in order to group together those variables involved in solar water distillation, based on evapotranspiration. These include the evaporation surface area and the concentration of water in the solution. A dimensionless parameter is devised to correlate their functional relationship. An experimental model has been operated and results are consistent with the model developed. A dimensionless parameter NVS (the Vega-Silva number) will find numerous applications in the handling of brine in evaporative ponds and facilitates the separation of the two main participating areas: land surface and evaporation surface. The experimental model was tested to identify an extended evaporative surface employing several porous media with a constant land surface, which allowed distillate production to increase by a factor of 2.5 when compared with the standard evaporative surface, by making the evaporative surface 4 times as large as the land surface. This is made possible with industrial fabrics as well as with plants and trees. ► Evapotranspiration (ET) increases evaporative surface by means of porous materials. ► Dimensionless parameter NVS groups variables of solar distillation based ET. ► NVS includes evaporation surface area and concentration of water in the solution. ► Distilled water production increased by a factor up to 2.5 within the same land area.
ISSN:0011-9164
1873-4464
DOI:10.1016/j.desal.2011.07.051