Abstract:
Solar distillation process is one of the fundamental techniques to produce potable water
based on renewable energy. It can be either passive or active solar distiller. The objective
of this study was to develop different passive solar stills and to compare their
performance in distilled water production. The test site of this study was at Arba Minch
University; inside the fenced metrological station. This study includes passive solar
distillation system single and double slope solar stills. In a single slope solar still category
four solar stills and in double slope category four for solar stills totally eight solar still
were constructed from Black ceramic, metal sheet, Concrete and Metal sheet with wood
insulator. All solar still setups had the same basin area (1m length*0.5m width*0.2m
height) and covered with 4mm thick transparent glass at inclination of 200
. Synthetic
sample was prepared from sodium chloride, wastewater and tap water. Distilled water
aggressiveness was examined using Langeleir Saturation formula. Water quality
parameters of distilled water and climatic factors were collected from May 30 to July 13-
2018. The result showed that maximum distilled water was generated from double sloped
ceramic solar still and double sloped metal sheet solar still with wood insulator; whereas
minimum distilled water was recorded from single sloped metal sheet solar still and
double sloped metal sheet distiller. Generally, double sloped solar still were effective in
distilled yield production than single sloped solar still and double sloped Ceramic solar
still was the most productive. The yield was positively affected to temperature, sunshine
hours & wind speed and inversely with relative humidity. Single sloped and double
sloped metal sheet solar still were very effective in conductivity removal than other
distillers. Maximum conductivity concentration was recorded from double sloped and
single sloped concrete distillers. Total coliform, hardness, alkalinity, calcium, sodium and
potassium were totally removed in all solar still setups; whereas the conductivity was
reduced to acceptable level. The water produced from all solar still was aggressive.
Double sloped ceramic solar still was cheapest among all distillers. The result revealed
that passive solar distillation is a possible option to generate potable water at household
level for poor rural community.
