Comparative experimental study on the performance of single-slope, hemispherical, and conical solar stills

Authors

  • Wael M. El-Maghlany Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt
  • Mohammed El Hadi Attia Department of Physics, Faculty of Exact Science, University of El Oued, El Oued 39000, Algeria
  • Abd Elnaby Kabeel Mechanical Power Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; Faculty of Engineering, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa 35712, Egypt
  • M.A. Elazab Faculty of Engineering, Mechanical Power Engineering Department, Horus University-Egypt, New Damietta 34517, Egypt
  • Ammar Hidouri Research Lab of Technology, Energy and Innovative Materials, University of Gafsa, Gafsa 2112,Tunisia
  • Nour A. Moharram Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Technology, Arab Academy for Science, Technologyand Maritime Transport, Alexandria 1029, Egypt

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24425/ather.2025.156590

Keywords

hemispherical, conical, single slope, solar still, energy efficiency, exergy efficiency

Abstract

Although there is a great supply of groundwater, it is salty, and most places of the globe, including the Algerian desert, have a shortage of fresh water. The greatest answer to this issue is solar distillation since it uses sustainable solar energy. Solar still comes in a variety of forms, dimensions and styles, creating potable water that is fresh, clean, and safe to drink, albeit the amount of water produced differs depending on the type of solar still. Choosing the design of solar stills remains one of the preferred solutions to improve their performance. The performance of three different solar still designs is compared in this work, including single slope, hemispherical, and conical solar stills. The investigation used brackish water with a salt level of 3000 ppm and was conducted under the same operational conditions and locations. The conical solar still had the best overall performance, with a daily average production of 5.80 l/m2 /day. The hemispherical solar still had the second-best performance, with a daily average production of 5.10 l/m2 /day. Finally, the single slope solar still had the lowest performance (daily average production of 3.30 l/m2 /day). The findings can be used to develop and improve solar stills for saltwater desalination.

References

[1] Bayoumi, S., Moharram, N.A., Fayed, M., & El-Maghlany, W.M. (2024). Assessing the efficacy of magnetic water treatment: A concise review and experimental investigation. Desalination and Water Treatment, 318, 100369. doi: 10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100369

[2] Kabeel, A.E., Diab, M.R., Elazab, M., & El-Said, E.M.S. (2023). Solar powered hybrid desalination system using a novel evaporative humidification tower: A numerical investigation. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 179, 290–313. doi: 10.1016/j.psep.2023.09.015

[3] Moharram, N.A., Konsowa, A.H., Shehata, A.I., & El-Maghlany, W.M. (2024). Advances in zero liquid discharge multigeneration plants: A novel approach for integrated power generation, supercritical desalination, and salt production. Energy Conversion and Management, 307, 118352. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2024.118352

[4] Moharram, N.A., Bayoumi, S., Hanafy, A.A., & El-Maghlany, W.M. (2021). Techno-economic analysis of a combined concentrated solar power and water desalination plant. Energy Conversion and Management, 228, 113629. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2020.113629

[5] Moharram, N.A., Bayoumi, S., Hanafy, A.A., & El-Maghlany, W.M. (2021). Hybrid desalination and power generation plant utilizing multi-stage flash and reverse osmosis driven by parabolic trough collectors. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 23, 100807. doi: 10.1016/j.csite.2020.100807

[6] Moharram, N.A., Konsowa, A.H., Shehata, A.I., & El-Maghlany, W.M. (2025). Sustainable seascapes: An in-depth analysis of multigeneration plants utilizing supercritical zero liquid discharge desalination and a combined cycle power plant. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 118, 523–542. doi: 10.1016/j.aej.2025.01.091

[7] Jones, E., Qadir, M., van Vliet, M.T.H., Smakhtin, V., & Kang, S. (2019). The state of desalination and brine production: A global outlook. Science of the Total Environment, 657, 1343–1356. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.076

[8] Elazab, M.A., Kabeel, A.E., Salem, M., Abueldahab, H., & Elhadidy, S.M. (2023). A review of hybrid humidification and dehumidification desalination systems. Journal of Engineering Research, 7(5), 77–88. doi: 10.21608/erjeng.2023.235477.1237

[9] Harris Samuel, D.G., Nagarajan, P.K., Arunkumar, T., Kannan, E., & Sathyamurthy, R. (2016). Enhancing the solar still yield by increasing the surface area of water – A review. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 35(3), 815–822. doi: 10.1002/ep.12280

[10] Suraparaju, S.K., & Natarajan, S.K. (2022). Review on productivity enhancement of passive solar stills. In Renewable Energy Technologies (pp. 165–216). Wiley. doi: 10.1002/9781119827634.ch6

[11] Hadi Attia, M.El., Kabeel, A.E., Moharram, N.A., El-Maghlany, W.M., & Fayed, M. (2025). Enhancing freshwater yield in conical solar stills utilizing external reflective mirrors: An experimental approach. Solar Energy, 288, 113287. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2025.113287

[12] Attia, M.E.H., Kabeel, A.E., Elaloui, E., Abdelgaied, M., & Abdullah, A. (2022). Experimental study on improving the yield of hemispherical distillers using CuO nanoparticles and cooling the glass cover. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 235, 111482. doi: 10.1016/j.solmat.2021.111482

[13] Attia, M.E.H., Kabeel, A.E., Abdelgaied, M., & Abdelaziz, G.B. (2021). A comparative study of hemispherical solar stills with various modifications to obtain modified and inexpensive still models. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28, 55667–55677. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-14862-x

[14] Dev, R., & Tiwari, G.N. (2012). Annual performance of evacuated tubular collector integrated solar still. Desalination and Water Treatment, 41(1–3), 204–223. doi: 10.1080/19443994.2012.664715

[15] El-Said, E.M.S., & Abdelaziz, G.B. (2020). Experimental investigation and economic assessment of a solar still performance using high-frequency ultrasound waves atomizer. Journal of Cleaner Production, 256, 120609. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120609

[16] Kabeel, A.E., El-Said, E.M.S., & Abdulaziz, M. (2019). Computational fluid dynamic as a tool for solar still performance analysis and design development: a review. Desalination and Water Treatment, 159, 200–213. doi: 10.5004/dwt.2019.24150

[17] Subramanian, R.S., Kumaresan, G., Ajith, R., Sabarivasan, U., Gowthamaan, K.K., & Anudeep, S. (2021). Performance analysis of modified solar still integrated with flat plate collector. Materials Today: Proceedings, 45, 1382–1387. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.06.409

[18] Taamneh, Y., & Taamneh, M.M. (2012). Performance of pyramid-shaped solar still: Experimental study. Desalination, 291, 65–68. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2012.01.026

[19] Bellila, A., Kabeel, A.E., Attia, M.E.H., Dahab, H.A., & Elazab, M.A. (2024). Maximizing solar distillation performance for conical solar still through varied energy storage materials. Scientific Reports, 14, 29218. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-79907-w

[20] Nayi, K.H., & Modi, K.V. (2018). Pyramid solar still: A comprehensive review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 81, 136–148. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.07.004

[21] Al-Madhhachi, H., & Smaisim, G.F. (2021). Experimental and numerical investigations with environmental impacts of affordable square pyramid solar still. Solar Energy, 216, 303–314. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2020.12.051

[22] Suraparaju, S.K., Samykano, M., Natarajan, S.K., Rajamony, R.K., & Pandey, A.K. (2024). Waste-derived thermal storage solutions for sustainable solar desalination using discarded engine oil and paraffin wax. Desalination, 576, 117318. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2024.117318

[23] Suraparaju, S.K., Sampathkumar, A., & Natarajan, S.K. (2022). A mini state-of-art survey on photovoltaic/thermal desalination systems. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. doi: 10.1007/978-981-16-2794-1_1

[24] Suraparaju, S.K., Sampathkumar, A., & Natarajan, S.K. (2023). Development of composite thermal energy storage for solar distillation. Journal of Energy Storage, 69, 107856. doi: 10.1016/j.est.2023.107856

[25] Suraparaju, S.K., Samykano, M., Dhivagar, R., Natarajan, S.K., & Ghazali, M.F. (2024). Phase change materials from waste oils in solar distillation. Journal of Energy Storage, 85, 111046. doi: 10.1016/j.est.2024.111046

[26] Suraparaju, S.K., Natarajan, S.K., Mamilla, V.R., Pappala, S.M.T., Kurada, A., & Lakamsani, M.S.V.P. (2023). 4E analysis of solar still with PCM. Materials Today: Proceedings, 90, 1–5. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2023.03.345

[27] Kabeel, A.E., Diab, M.R., Elazab, M.A., & El-Said, E.M.S. (2024). Multi-sections solar distiller integrated with solar air heater. Experimental Heat Transfer, 37(5), 523–540. doi: 10.1080/08916152.2022.2164810

[28] Kabeel, A.E., Abdelgaied, M., Attia, M.E.H., Arıcı, M., & AbdelAziz, M.M. (2023). Performance enhancement of a conical solar still by optimizing inclination angle. Solar Energy, 264, 112001. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2023.112001

[29] Attia, M.E.H., Kabeel, A.E., & Elazab, M.A. (2023). Performance optimization of a conical solar distillation system. Solar Energy, 266, 112188. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2023.112188

[30] Attia, M.E.H., Kabeel, A.E., & Elazab, M.A. (2024). Enhancing drinkable water production in conical solar distillers. Solar Energy, 272, 112476. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2024.112476

[31] Elazab, M.A., Kabeel, A.E., El-Said, E.M.S., Dahab, H.A., Hamed, A.K., Alsaadawi, M.M., & Elbrashy, A. (2024). Exergoeconomic assessment of solar distiller with solar air heater. Desalination and Water Treatment, 319, 100535. doi: 10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100535

[32] Dhivagar, R., Suraparaju, S.K., Atamurotov, F., Kannan, K.G., Opakhai, S., & Omara, A.A.M. (2024). Performance analysis of biomaterials in solar still. Water Science & Technology, 89(12), 3325–3343. doi: 10.2166/wst.2024.189

[33] González-Mora, E., & Durán-García, M.D. (2024). CSP analysis in México. Renewable Energy, 228, 120375. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.120375

[34] Kabeel, A.E., Diab, M.R., Elazab, M.A., & El-Said, E.M.S. (2022). Hybrid desalination system analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 379, 134690. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134690

[35] Attia, M.E.H., Kabeel, A.E., Abdelgaied, M., Aljabri, A., & Elazab, M.A. (2024). Optimization of conical solar distiller with aluminium balls. Desalination and Water Treatment, 319, 100504. doi: 10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100504

[36] Kabeel, A.E., Abdelaziz, G.B., & El-Said, E.M.S. (2019). Solar still with composite heat storage. Journal of Cleaner Production, 231, 21–34. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.200

[37] Sivakumar, V., & Ganapathy Sundaram, E. (2017). Heat transfer in solar still. International Journal of Ambient Energy, 38(7), 742–751. doi: 10.1080/01430750.2016.1195777

[38] Methre, V.K., & Eswaramoorthy, M. (2015). Exergy analysis of solar still with PCM. Applied Solar Energy, 51(2), 99–106. doi: 10.3103/S0003701X15020115

[39] Shalaby, S.M., El-Bialy, E., & El-Sebaii, A.A. (2016). Solar still with PCM absorber. Desalination, 398, 247–255. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2016.07.042

[40] Rajasekhar, G., & Eswaramoorthy, M. (2015). Solar still with nano-composite PCM. Applied Solar Energy, 51(1), 15–21. doi: 10.3103/S0003701X15010119

[41] Essa, F.A., Abdullah, A.S., Omara, Z.M., Kabeel, A.E., & Gamiel, Y. (2021). Trays solar still with reflectors. Applied Thermal Engineering, 188, 116652. doi: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.116652

[42] Manoj Kumar, P., Sudarvizhi, D., Prakash, K.B., Anupradeepa, A.M., Boomiha Raj, S., Shanmathi, S., Sumithra, K., & Surya, S. (2021). Single slope solar still with nano-PCM. Materials Today: Proceedings, 45, 7922–7925. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.12.804

Downloads

Published

2025-09-30

How to Cite

El-Maghlany, Wael M., et al. “Comparative Experimental Study on the Performance of Single-Slope, Hemispherical, and Conical Solar Stills”. Archives of Thermodynamics, vol. 46, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 187-9, doi:10.24425/ather.2025.156590.

Issue

Vol. 46 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Articles

Similar Articles

<< < 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 > >> 

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