Experimental and theoretical analysis of a solar distillation system with nanofluid collector and phase change material

Renewable energy sources contribute significantly to countries becoming energy independent and growing economically. Since fresh water resources are decreasing day by day, it is of great importance to convert salt water into fresh water by using solar energy, which is a renewable energy source. In this study, the fact that a solar distillation system that works with 100% solar energy was designed, produced, and examined experimentally and theoretically reveals the originality of the study. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of using a parabolic trough solar collector, phase change material and nanofluid with a double slope solar still on the fresh water productivity and thermal efficiency of the still. All results obtained were compared with a conventional single slope solar still. In the experimental study, water based fluid containing 0.1% multi-walled carbon nanotube by mass was used as nanofluid and paraffin was used as phase change material. According to the results obtained from experimental and theoretical studies, it has been determined that the use of parabolic trough solar collector, nanofluid and phase change material increases the fresh water productivity of the solar still. However, it has been observed that nanofluid and phase change material increases the thermal efficiency of the solar still, while the parabolic trough solar collector reduces it. Compared to the conventional single-slope still, the largest increase in freshwater productivity, 61.8%, was obtained for the case where phase change material, nanofluid and parabolic torugh collector were used.