A novel energy storage system for latent heat recovery in solar still using phase change material and pulsating heat pipe

摘要

In this study, a latent heat storage unit and built-in condenser were integrated with a solar still. Storage of dissipated latent heat of vapor during the day and using it after sunset prolongs system operation. During the day, the entire solar radiation was consumed to heat the saline water and only the heat coming from the condensation of vapor was stored in the phase change material (PCM). The dissipated heat from the condenser body was transferred to the PCM and stored. Additionally, the existence of PCM on the outer surfaces of the condenser prevented the rise of condenser wall temperature during the day and kept the condenser temperature low. After sunset, the heat stored in the PCM was transferred to the saline water through Pulsating Heat Pipes (PHPs). This prevented the saline water temperature from dropping, ensuring that the desalination process would continue after sunset. Several tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed solar still. The results showed an increase in efficiency from 23.7% for the conventional solar still to 48.5% for the current design. Moreover, the amount of daily freshwater production and its cost per liter (CPL) were 6.3 kg/m(2) and 0.0093 $/l/m(2), respectively. (c) (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.