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Model development and experimental verification for tubular solar still operating under vacuum condition

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  • Xie, Guo
  • Sun, Licheng
  • Yan, Tiantong
  • Tang, Jiguo
  • Bao, Jingjing
  • Du, Min

Abstract

A theoretical and experimental study was carried out on performance of a Tubular Solar Still (TSS) under vacuum operation condition, based on which a modified model was proposed. Theoretical analysis shows that a vacuum operation pressure augments the concentration differential of humid vapour around the trough and that around the condensation surface, intensifying the diffusion and natural convection of vapour in the cavity. It is further indicated that as the operation pressure approximates the saturation pressure of the saline water, buoyancy force due to mass transfer would surpass that from thermal diffusion, and dominate vapour transportation process in the still. The proposed model for predicting the freshwater yield adopted the diffusion rule of binary mixture in the calculation of the mass transfer coefficient. It has a deviation of −3% −11% against the current experimental results and was further verified by an independent dataset. Upon that the performance of current TSS under vacuum running condition was evaluated with the help of the model. In view of the efficiency in energy utilization, the evaluation results show that the energy utilization efficiency of the system has an increase over 80% compared with that under normal operating pressure condition.

Suggested Citation

  • Xie, Guo & Sun, Licheng & Yan, Tiantong & Tang, Jiguo & Bao, Jingjing & Du, Min, 2018. "Model development and experimental verification for tubular solar still operating under vacuum condition," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 115-130.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:157:y:2018:i:c:p:115-130
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.05.130
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    Cited by:

    1. Chen, W.L. & Xie, G., 2022. "Performance of multi-stage tubular solar still operating under vacuum," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P2), pages 34-46.
    2. Mohamed, A.S.A. & Shahdy, Abanob G. & Mohamed, Hany A. & Ahmed, M. Salem, 2023. "A comprehensive review of the vacuum solar still systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    3. Zhang, Houcheng & Li, Jiarui & Xue, Yejian & Grgur, Branimir N. & Li, Jianming, 2024. "Performance prediction and regulation of a tubular solid oxide fuel cell and hydrophilic modified tubular still hybrid system for electricity and freshwater cogeneration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    4. M. Mohamed Thalib & Athikesavan Muthu Manokar & Fadl A. Essa & N. Vasimalai & Ravishankar Sathyamurthy & Fausto Pedro Garcia Marquez, 2020. "Comparative Study of Tubular Solar Stills with Phase Change Material and Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Material," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-13, August.

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