利用相变材料内浸没翅片增强单 basin 太阳能蒸馏器的能量存储和产水性能

Abstract This study presents an experimental investigation into enhancing the performance of a single-basin solar still (SS) by integrating longitudinal fins immersed within a phase change material (PCM) layer. The objective was to address the thermal conductivity limitations of PCMs and improve energy storage and freshwater productivity. Additionally, a thermoeconomic analysis of the entire system was performed for three cases under the climate conditions of Baghdad: conventional SS (without PCM), SS with PCM , and SS with immersed fins integrated with the basin within PCM . Paraffin wax was employed as the PCM. The PCM storage container was designed with the same surface area as the water basin, measuring 0.5 m 2 in area and 5 cm in depth, and was integrated beneath the water basin. The water depth was maintained at 2 cm. The novelty of this work lies in the use of longitudinal fins immersed within PCM to enhance thermal conductivity and phase transition behavior, an approach not commonly explored in solar distillation studies. The study’s findings demonstrated that embedding longitudinal highly conductive fins within the PCM enclosures increased the contact surface area between the basin’s backside and the PCM, thereby enhancing the thermal energy storage and recovery rates. As a result, the system achieved a 45.12 % improvement in thermal efficiency and a 51.13 % increase in pure condensed water yield during the test day, while simultaneously reducing production costs by approximately 7.08 %. In conclusion, the integration of immersed fins within the PCM exhibits significant potential as a cost-effective method for enhancing water productivity in solar stills (SS), alongside contributing to a reduction in annual production costs.