Effect of square and perforated fins on improving the efficiency of the classic pyramidal solar still

Abstract

A practical study was conducted to improve the performance of traditional pyramidal solar stills by using fins with square shapes and a circular diameter on the inside, as well as an internal mirror with a pyramid angle of 55 degrees for the improved and 45 degrees for the traditional.  The fins were inserted into the base of the solar still, and a glass mirror was installed on each of the still's four sides to compare its performance to that of a typical device.  The experimental findings acquired from the pyramidal and enhanced solar systems revealed the following for the first system: Combining the classic pyramidal with the inner-mirror pyramidal demonstrated the results of traditional distillation at 1250 ml/hour with a 47.6% efficiency. Regarding the modified pyramidal still, distillation data revealed an increase of up to 1500 ml/hour with an efficiency of 56.9%. The second system consisted of a traditional pyramid with a 45-degree angle and an enhanced one with a 55-degree angle, square fins, and an internal mirror, which generated more distillate products than the traditional one under all conditions tested. The daily productivity of the enhanced pyramid was 2200 ml/hour, with a 90% efficiency, whereas the original pyramid's daily output was 1675 ml/hour, with a 59.5% efficiency. Furthermore, the use of fins enhanced daily distillate production.