HE IMPACT OF CLIMATIC FACTORS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF PASSIVE SOLAR DISTILLER: THE CASE OF ARBA MINCH TOWN

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.