Performance study on an acrylic mirror boosted solar distillation unit utilizing seawater

A solar still is a simple desalination unit, but typical configuration is a sealed box with an angled glass top. Sunlight shining into the box heats water or liquid, causing it to evaporate. The moisture condenses on the relatively cool glass cover and runs down the sloped surface for collection. In this paper, the performance of solar still in terms of collection of distilled water have been analyzed and a booster mirror (acrylic) is attached with just above the glass cover of solar still, which will reflect solar radiation in excess to water and it is possible to adjust the booster mirror for perfect reflection depending upon the sun moving angle. Low rates of distillation have been observed with the existing unit. A notable result has been observed with a boosted distillation unit (4.2 L/m2/d at 890 W/m2 max.). The arrangements have been made by commercial Al sheet material and insulated with a thermocol sheet.

The performance of an acrylic mirror boosted solar distillation unit has been studied and reported. The amount of water collected per day is a maximum of about 4.2 L (maximum achieved). When comparing the solar distillation unit without mirror boosted, it has showed good performance and 20 to 26% increased efficiency. This unit may be used in making jaggary Fig. 3. Temperature analysis inside the still with mirror booster.