A multieffect solar still is simulated by formulating the rate equations and the heat and mass balance equations with respect to the process variables. The results obtained by the simulation showed satisfactory agreement with the experimental data taken from laboratory test plant having five stages and 1 m2 frame area. Calculation with the model showed the effect of design and operation parameters such as solar intensity, heat transfer coefficient through the partition and feed rate of brine to each stage on the distillate productivity. The results showed that the distillate productivity is independent of overall heat transfer coefficient through the partition if its value becomes higher than 230 W/m2à" K. Correlation to obtain the feed rate at each stage required to maximize the productivity of distillate was obtained as a function of the solar intensity and ratio of brine feed between two successive stages.
The simultaneous phenomenaof heat and mass transfer from water flowing through a fibrous sheet attached below the upper boundary of an inclined enclosure have been studied as a fundamental work for developing a new type of solar still. Experimental work was carried out with two kinds of fibres, two angles of inclination, and different feed rates at various heat inputs. The maximum temperature at the upper wall of the enclosure increased linearly with applied heat flux and was almost independent of the feed rate and the kind of fibre. Experiments with high-permeability sheet showed an increase in evaporation rate of about 16 %at a 10-degree angle and 30 % at a 36-degree angle. Thermal convection in the enclosure became evident at a low feed rate and declined with increase in feed rate. A mathematical model for the temperature distribution in the preheating zone was formulated and the heat transfer properties were studied by curve-fitting with the experimental data. The result provides useful data for designing the newtype of solar still.
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