Performance Analyzing of an Inverted Absorber Basin Solar Still Equipped with Photovoltaic Cells

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

2 Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering Research Laboratory of Renewable Energies and Electromagnetic Fluids, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

Abstract

In the present paper, a basin solar still with a curved inverted reflector under the basin is studied. In the investigated solar still, some photovoltaic cells are inserted on the glass cover of the condenser. Therefore, the system produces fresh water and electricity, simultaneously. By writing energy balance for different components of the system, photovoltaic cells temperature, condenser glass cover temperature, water temperature, and absorber temperature can be obtained. Also, the thermal and electrical efficiencies of the system are introduced. Present study simulation results are consistent with experimental data of the previous studies. Parametric study results show that increased water depth reduces freshwater productivity and its effect on the electricity production is negligible. Increasing photovoltaic cells reduces freshwater productivity and raises electricity production. Increased wind velocity and increase in the basin area increase freshwater productivity and electricity production. Also, an increase in the number of photovoltaic cells increases the electrical efficiency and reduces thermal efficiency, therefore, it decreases system overall efficiency. Water depth effect on electrical efficiency is negligible but, it decreases thermal efficiency and the overall efficiency of the system.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Amirkabir Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Volume 52, Issue 2
May 2020
Pages 297-310

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