Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of a Modified Solar Still Incorporating PCM, CuO Nano-Coated Absorber, and a Copper Spiral Tube

Bhavin Girishbhai Chavda; Virang H Oza; Vipul M Patel

doi:10.5935/jetia.v12i59.3742

Autores/as

Bhavin Girishbhai Chavda Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, C. U. Shah Polytechnic, Surendranagar, Gujarat, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0984-0586 (no autenticado)
Virang H Oza Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Subhash University, Junagadh, Gujarat, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5362-8379 (no autenticado)
Vipul M Patel Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Subhash University, Junagadh, Gujarat, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1308-5186 (no autenticado)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5935/jetia.v12i59.3742

Resumen

Access to safe freshwater remains a global challenge, motivating the development of efficient passive solar desalination systems. Conventional Solar Stills (CSS) suffer from low productivity due to limited heat absorption and the absence of thermal storage. In this study, a Modified Pyramid Solar Still (MPSS) integrating paraffin wax Phase Change Material (PCM), CuO nanoparticle-enhanced matt black coating, and a copper spiral absorber is experimentally and theoretically investigated. Performance comparisons were conducted at water depths ranging from 10–50 mm. The MPSS consistently outperformed the CSS at all depths, with maximum productivity achieved at 10 mm, yielding 2.311 L/day—representing a 162.5% enhancement over the CSS. The PCM effectively sustained evaporation during post-sunset hours, while CuO nanoparticles and the copper spiral improved solar absorption and internal heat transfer. A comprehensive thermal model incorporating PCM charging–discharging and enhanced heat transfer mechanisms showed good agreement with experimental data, with deviations within ±10%, confirming the reliability of the proposed approach.