Exploring potential of paraffin wax: A phase change material for improving yield of solar still

Authors

  • Akashdeep Negi Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, 248002, India
  • Lalit Ranakoti Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, 248002, India
  • Sandip Kumar Mishra Mechanical Engineering Department, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, 284128, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Rajesh Prasad Verma GL Bajaj Institute of Technology and Management, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201306, India
  • Vineet Kumar Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, 248002, India
  • Adhirath Mandal Department of Mechanical Engineering & Design, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, 201309, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Prabhakar Bhandari Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering and Technology, K.R. Mangalam University, Gurugram, 122103, Haryana, India
  • Arun Uniyal Department of Mechanical Engineering, COER University, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India
  • Prabhakar Zainith Department of Mechanical Engineering, Shivalik College of Engineering, Dehradun, 248197, Uttarakhand, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24425/ather.2025.156582

Keywords

paraffin wax, latent heat storage, solar still, yield improvement, placement of PCM, economic analysis

Abstract

The necessity of providing fresh water to the existing population has remained a significant challenge, highlighting the utmost necessity of a sustainable water purification technique. Therefore, the present review article investigates the recent developments in paraffin wax-based enhancements for solar stills for improving freshwater yield. Paraffin wax, a widely used phase change material (PCM), offers high latent heat storage and chemical stability; however, its low thermal conductivity and long-term reliability present significant challenges. Therefore, this article aims to provide sufficient knowledge on the most practical designs of solar still with paraffin wax. Also, the review highlights design modifications, placement strategies, nanoparticle incorporation, and external attachments like heat exchangers and collectors that have been employed to enhance distillate yield. Economic analyses indicate that paraffin-enhanced systems offer lower water production costs compared to conventional solar stills. Challenges such as phase segregation, volumetric expansion, and material degradation over repeated cycles are discussed. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of optimizing solar still performance using paraffin wax, supporting future research and practical implementation for sustainable water desalination. The key findings indicate that pyramid-shaped solar stills are the most suitable design and their integration with paraffin wax can significantly improve the distillate yield by 100 %.

References

[1] Du, K., Calautit, J., Wang, Z., Wu, Y., & Liu, H. (2018). A review of the applications of phase change materials in cooling, heating and power generation in different temperature ranges. Applied Energy, 220, 242–273. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.03.005

[2] Greenlee, L.F., Lawler, D.F., Freeman, B.D., Marrot, B., & Moulin, P. (2009). Reverse osmosis desalination: Water sources, technology, and today's challenges. Water Research, 43(9), 2317–2348. doi: 10.1016/j.wtres.2009.03.010

[3] Shahzad, M.W., Ng, K.C., Thu, K., Saha, B.B., & Chun, W.G. (2014). Multi effect desalination and adsorption desalination (MEDAD): A hybrid desalination method. Applied Thermal Engineering, 72(2), 289–297. doi: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2014.03.010

[4] Wafi, M.K., Hussain, N., El-Sharief Abdalla, O., Al-Far, M.D., Al-Hajaj, N.A., & Alzonnikah, K.F. (2019). Nanofiltration as a cost-saving desalination process. SN Applied Sciences, 1, 161. doi: 10.1007/s42452-019-0165-2

[5] Mohamed, A.S.A., Ahmed, M.S., Maghrabie, H.M., & Shahdy, A.G. (2021). Desalination process using humidification–dehumidification technique: A detailed review. International Journal of Energy Research, 45(3), 3698–3749. doi: 10.1002/er.6155

[6] Ghazouani, N., El-Bary, A.A., Hassan, G.E., Becheikh, N., Bawadekji, A., & Elewa, M.M. (2022). Solar desalination by humidification–dehumidification: A review. Water, 14(21), 3424. doi: 10.3390/w14213424

[7] Arunkumar, T., Velraj, R., Prado, G.O., Denkenberger, D.C., Mahian, O., Sathyamurthy, R., Vinothkumar, K., & Ahsan, A. (2017). Effects of concentrator type and encapsulated phase change material on the performance of different solar stills: An experimental approach. Desalination and Water Treatment, 87, 1–13. doi: 10.5004/dwt.2017.21172

[8] Kumar, K.V., & Bai, R.K. (2008). Performance study on solar still with enhanced condensation. Desalination, 230(1–3), 51–61. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2007.07.005

[9] Das, D., Bordoloi, U., Kalita, P., Boehm, R.F., & Kamble, A.D. (2020). Solar still distillate enhancement techniques and recent developments. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 10, 100360. doi: 10.1016/j.gsd.2019.100360

[10] Negi, A., Verma, R.P., Saxena, A., Ranakoti, L., Bhandari, P., Singh, T., & Tiwari, G.N. (2023). Design and performance of black painted Khes wick modified solar still: An experimental and 5E analysis. International Journal of Thermofluids, 20, 100491. doi: 10.1016/j.ijft.2023.100491

[11] Agrawal, A., Rana, R.S., & Srivastava, P.K. (2017). Heat transfer coefficients and productivity of a single slope single basin solar still in Indian climatic condition: Experimental and theoretical comparison. Resource-Efficient Technologies, 3(4), 466–482. doi: 10.1016/j.reffit.2017.06.003

[12] Bhardwaj, R., Ten Kortenaar, M.V., & Mudde, R.F. (2016). Inflatable plastic solar still with passive condenser for single family use. Desalination, 398, 151–156. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2016.07.008

[13] Muftah, A.F., Alghoul, M.A., Fudholi, A., Abdul-Majeed, M.M., & Sopian, K. (2014). Factors affecting basin type solar still productivity: A detailed review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 32, 430–447. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2014.01.059

[14] Rahmani, A., & Boutriaa, A. (2017). Numerical and experimental study of a passive solar still integrated with an external condenser. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 42(48), 29047–29055. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.09.142

[15] Sharshir, S.W., Peng, G., Wu, L., Yang, N., Essa, F.A., Elsheikh, A.H., Mohamed, S.I.T., & Kabeel, A.E. (2017). Enhancing the solar still performance using nanofluids and glass cover cooling: Experimental study. Applied Thermal Engineering, 113, 684–693. doi: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.11.085

[16] Negi, A., Dhindsa, G.S., & Sehgal, S.S. (2022). Experimental investigation on single basin tilted wick solar still integrated with flat plate collector. Materials Today: Proceedings, 48, 1439–1446. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.07.206

[17] Panchal, H., Patel, K., Elkelawy, M., & Bastawissi, H.A.E. (2021). A use of various phase change materials on the performance of solar still: A review. International Journal of Ambient Energy, 42(13), 1575–1580. doi: 10.1080/01430750.2019.1594376

[18] Arunkumar, T., Denkenberger, D.C., Ahsan, A., & Jayaprakash, R. (2013). The augmentation of distillate yield by using concentrator-coupled solar still with phase change material. Desalination, 314, 189–192. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2013.01.011

[19] Mevada, D., Panchal, H., Sadasivuni, K.K., Israr, M., Suresh, M., Dharaskar, S., & Thakkar, H. (2020). Effect of fin configuration parameters on performance of solar still: A review. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 10, 100289. doi: 10.1016/j.gsd.2019.100289

[20] El-Sebaey, M.S., Shams El-Din, S., Habib, M., & El-Hanafy, A. (2013). An experimental study on a new design of double slope solar still with external flatted and internal parabolic reflectors. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, 9(6), 40–54. doi: 10.9790/1684-0964054

[21] Essa, F.A., Omara, Z.M., Elsheikh, A.H., Shanmugan, S., Abdullah, A.S., & El-Sebaey, M.S. (2024). Innovative configurations for spherical solar distillation: Ball rotation and preheating for improved productivity. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 59, 104489. doi: 10.1016/j.csite.2024.104489

[22] Saleh, B., Essa, F.A., Omara, Z.M., Ahmed, M.H., El-Sebaey, M.S., Stephen, M.T., Sundar, L.S., Qasim, M.A., Ramana, E.V., Shanmugan, E.H., & Elsheikh, A.H. (2023). Using direct solar energy conversion in distillation via evacuated solar tube with and without nanomaterials. Processes, 11(6), 1734. doi: 10.3390/pr11061734

[23] Mousa, M.M., Abdel-Baky, M.A., Eltantawy, I.M., & El-Sebaey, M.S. (2024). Proposing novel approach for solar still performance enhancement by using gravity assisted heat pipes: Experimental and CFD modeling. Engineering Research Journal, 47, 355–368. doi: 10.21608/erjm.2024.272460.1321

[24] Omara, A.A., Abuelnuor, A.A., Mohammed, H.A., & Khiadani, M. (2020). Phase change materials (PCMs) for improving solar still productivity: A review. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 139, 1585–1617. doi: 10.1007/s10973-019-08908-z

[25] Kasaeian, A., Nazari, N.S., Masoumi, A., Shabestari, S.T., Jadidi, M., Fereidooni, L., & Bidhendi, M.E. (2024). A review on phase change materials in different types of solar stills. Journal of Energy Storage, 99, 113430. doi: 10.1016/j.est.2024.113430

[26] Negi, A., Ranakoti, L., Verma, R.P., Kumar, V., Bhandari, P., Khargotra, R., & Singh, T. (2025). Enhancing solar still productivity with organic phase change materials: A literature review. Energy Conversion and Management: X, 100984. doi: 10.1016/j.ecmx.2025.100984

[27] Negi, A., Ranakoti, L., Singh, V., Bhandari, P., Wang, M., Fekete, G., & Singh, T. (2025). A hybrid CRITIC-MAIRCA framework for optimal phase change material selection in solar distillation systems. International Journal of Thermofluids, 27, 101167. doi: 10.1016/j.ijft.2025.101167

[28] Kabeel, A.E., El-Samadony, Y.A.F., & El-Maghlany, W.M. (2018). Comparative study on the solar still performance utilizing different PCM. Desalination, 432, 89–96. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2018.01.007

[29] Ravishankara, S., Nagarajan, P.K., Vijayakumar, D., & Jawahar, M.K. (2013). Phase change material on augmentation of fresh water production using pyramid solar still. International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 2(3), 115–120. doi: 10.14710/ijred.2.3.115-120

[30] Sathyamurthy, R., Nagarajan, P.K., Subramani, J., Vijayakumar, D., & Ali, K.M.A. (2014). Effect of water mass on triangular pyramid solar still using phase change material as storage medium. Energy Procedia, 61, 2224–2228. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.12.250

[31] Sathish Kumar, T.R., Jegadheeswaran, S., & Chandramohan, P. (2019). Performance investigation on fin type solar still with paraffin wax as energy storage media. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 136, 101–112. doi: 10.1007/s10973-018-7650-0

[32] Kabeel, A.E., El-Maghlany, W.M., Abdelgaied, M., & AbdelAziz, M.M. (2020). Performance enhancement of pyramid-shaped solar stills using hollow circular fins and phase change materials. Journal of Energy Storage, 31, 101610. doi: 10.1016/j.est.2020.101610

[33] Shalaby, S.M., El-Bialy, E., & El-Sebaii, A.A. (2016). An experimental investigation of a v-corrugated absorber single-basin solar still using PCM. Desalination, 398, 247–255. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2016.08.005

[34] Yousef, M.S., & Hassan, H. (2019). Energetic and exergetic performance assessment of the inclusion of phase change materials (PCM) in a solar distillation system. Energy Conversion and Management, 179, 349–361. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2018.10.054

[35] Radomska, E., Mika, Ł., Sztekler, K., Kalawa, W., Lis, Ł., Pielichowska, K., Szumera, M., & Rutkowski, P. (2023). Experimental and theoretical investigation of single-slope passive solar still with phase-change materials. Energies, 16(3), 1188. doi: 10.3390/en16031188

[36] Tuly, S.S., Rahman, M.S., Sarker, M.R.I., & Beg, R.A. (2021). Combined influence of fin, phase change material, wick, and external condenser on the thermal performance of a double slope solar still. Journal of Cleaner Production, 287, 125458. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125458

[37] Katekar, V.P., & Deshmukh, S.S. (2020). A review of the use of phase change materials on performance of solar stills. Journal of Energy Storage, 30, 101398. doi: 10.1016/j.est.2020.101398

[38] Abu-Hijleh, B.A. (1996). Enhanced solar still performance using water film cooling of the glass cover. Desalination, 107(3), 235–244. doi: 10.1016/S0011-9164(96)00160-2

[39] Aly, W.I.A., Tolba, M.A., & Abdelmagied, M. (2023). Experimental investigation and performance evaluation of an oval tubular solar still with phase change material. Applied Thermal Engineering, 221, 119628. doi: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2022.119628

[40] Maridurai, T., Rajkumar, S., Arunkumar, M., Mohanavel, V., Arul, K., Madhesh, D., & Subbiah, R. (2022). Performance study on phase change material integrated solar still coupled with solar collector. Materials Today: Proceedings, 59, 1319–1323. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.11.539

[41] Banoqitah, E., Sathyamurthy, R., Moustafa, E.B., Fujii, M., Sudalaimuthu, P., Djouider, F., & Elsheikh, A.H. (2023). Enhancement and prediction of a stepped solar still productivity integrated with paraffin wax enriched with nano-additives. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 49, 103215. doi: 10.1016/j.csite.2023.103215

[42] Tan, J.H., Liew, Y.Y., Bahar, R., Jun, H.K., & Low, J. (2025). Enhancing solar still productivity in tropical climate with conductive particle-assisted phase change material. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 279, 113227. doi: 10.1016/j.solmat.2024.113227

[43] Dawood, M.M.K., Nabil, T., Kabeel, A.E., Shehata, A.I., Abdalla, A.M., & Elnaghi, B.E. (2020). Experimental study of productivity progress for a solar still integrated with parabolic trough collectors with a phase change material in the receiver evacuated tubes and in the still. Journal of Energy Storage, 32, 102007. doi: 10.1016/j.est.2020.102007

[44] Alqsair, U.F., Abdullah, A.S., & Omara, Z.M. (2022). Enhancement the productivity of drum solar still utilizing parabolic solar concentrator, phase change material and nanoparticles’ coating. Journal of Energy Storage, 55, 105477. doi: 10.1016/j.est.2022.105477

[45] Suraparaju, S.K., & Natarajan, S.K. (2021). Experimental investigation of single-basin solar still using solid staggered fins inserted in paraffin wax PCM bed for enhancing productivity. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(16), 20330–20343. doi: 10.1007/s11356-020-11980-w

[46] Kabeel, A.E., Abdelaziz, G.B., & El-Said, E.M.S. (2019). Experimental investigation of a solar still with composite material heat storage: Energy, exergy and economic analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 231, 21–34. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.200

[47] Negi, A., Verma, R.P., Saxena, A., Ranakoti, L., Bhandari, P., Singh, T., & Tiwari, G.N. (2023). Design and performance of black painted Khes wick modified solar still: An experimental and 5E analysis. International Journal of Thermofluids, 20, 100491. doi: 10.1016/j.ijft.2023.100491

[48] Joshi, P., & Tiwari, G.N. (2018). Energy matrices, exer-go-economic & enviro-economic analysis of an active single slope solar still integrated with a heat exchanger. Desalination, 443, 85–98. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2018.05.014

[49] Yousef, M.S., & Hassan, H. (2019). Assessment of different passive solar stills via exergoeconomic. Solar Energy, 182, 316–331. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2019.02.041

[50] Parsa, S.M., Rahbar, A., Javadi, D., & Koleini, M.H. (2020). Energy-matrices, exergy, economic, environmental, exergoeconomic, 6E & HT analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 261, 121243. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121243

[51] Shatar, N.M., Sabri, M.F.M., Salleh, M.F.M., & Ani, M.H. (2023). Energy, exergy, economic, environmental analysis for solar still using partially coated condensing cover with thermoelectric cover cooling. Journal of Cleaner Production, 387, 135833. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135833

[52] Suraparaju, S.K., Natarajan, S.K., Mamilla, V.R., Pappala, S.M.T., Kurada, A., & Lakamsani, M.S.V.P. (2023). Energy, exergy, economic and environmental (4E) analyses of solar still with paraffin wax as phase change energy storage material. Materials Today: Proceedings, 90, 1–5. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2023.01.013

[53] Methre, V.K., & Eswaramoorthy, M. (2015). Exergy analysis of the solar still integrated nano composite phase change materials. Applied Solar Energy, 51, 99–106. doi: 10.3103/S0003701X15020050

[54] Dhivagar, R., & Kannan, K.G. (2022). Thermodynamic and economic analysis of heat pump-assisted solar still using paraffin wax as phase change material. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(2), 3131–3140. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-15741-1

[55] Govindaraj, K., Panchabikesan, K., Denkenberger, D.C., & Ramalingam, V. (2017). Effect of fin orientations in a spherically encapsulated phase change materials for effective heat transfer enhancement. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 62, 277–282. doi: 10.3303/CET1762047

Downloads

Published

2025-09-30

How to Cite

Negi, Akashdeep, et al. “Exploring Potential of Paraffin Wax: A Phase Change Material for Improving Yield of Solar Still”. Archives of Thermodynamics, vol. 46, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 105-12, doi:10.24425/ather.2025.156582.

Issue

Vol. 46 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Articles

Similar Articles

<< < 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.