Improving A Tubular Solar Still Performance Using A Thermoelectric Cooler Peltier And Internal Condenser

Abstract

This work aims to enhance the cumulative yield in a tubular solar still by using a copper packing, an internal condenser, and a thermoelectric cooler Peltier, as an instrument to improve the rate of evaporation and condensation. Also, study the effect of solar intensity and relative humidity inside the solar still on the yield.

The results showed that adding copper packing increased cumulative production by only 1.6%. The addition of the thermoelectric cooler showed high efficiency in increasing the cumulative yield by 34.37%. But the thermoelectric cooler results in a higher yield with the presence of the internal condenser and copper packing

This increase is attributed to the synergistic effects between the thermoelectric cooler and the packing in raising the water temperature, increasing heat transfer and vapor generation, and between the internal condenser with its high surface area and the cold side of the thermoelectric cooler in condensing this vapor. Also, it was observed that the solar intensity and relative humidity affect the performance of the solar still throughout the day.

High solar intensity increases the ambient temperature, which in turn increases the temperature of the saline water, leading to the formation of water vapor, while higher relative humidity reduces the hourly yield of the solar still and thus reduces the cumulative yield, and vice versa.