Optimizing Single Slope Solar Stills for Enhanced Freshwater Production: A Study on Efficient Energy Storage Using Sensible Heat Materials

The utilization of solar energy for desalination processes presents a promising avenue for addressing freshwater scarcity in an environmentally friendly manner. This research focuses on the development and optimization of a solar still, a device that converts brackish water into fresh water using solar energy. To ensure a continuous and reliable water supply, efficient storage technologies are crucial for storing solar energy throughout the day and night. Sensible heat storage materials, including marbles, pebbles, blue metal stone, and Kadapa stone, have been explored to enhance the overall efficiency of the solar still. Various parameters, such as water depth, size, quantity, and type of storage material, were systematically evaluated to identify the optimal conditions for maximum freshwater output. The Taguchi method, a robust experimental design approach, was employed to analyze the impact of control parameters and to optimize the experimental conditions. In the experiments, Kadapa stone emerged as a highly effective storage material, exhibiting superior energy storage performance compared to other materials. The highest freshwater output of 780 ml was achieved under optimum conditions, utilizing 1000 g of Kadapa stone at a 40 mm depth. This finding underscores the significance of selecting appropriate storage materials and optimizing key parameters to maximize the efficiency of solar stills. This research lays the foundation for further exploration and implementation of solar stills with improved energy storage capabilities, offering a sustainable solution to freshwater scarcity in resource-challenged regions.