Modeling and performance analysis of a solar desalination unit with double-glass cover cooling

In this study, modeling and performance analysis of a single-basin solar still with the entering brine flowing between a double glass glazing is investigated. The base area of the solar still is 1 m². The function of this arrangement is two-fold; lowering the glass temperature and preheating the entering brine. This resulted in improved performance represented by a faster rate of evaporation from the basin. The efficiency of the double-glass desalination unit increased by over 25% compared with the conventional single-basin single-glass solar still. The hourly and daily productions of the unit and the temperatures of the water and the glass cover were also predicted under the meteorological conditions of Muscat, Oman.