n African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development - Experimental study of an optimised solar still type with two condensing compartments suitable for alcoholic distillation

Abstract

An optimised solar still prototype suitable for alcoholic distillation was designed and tested. Its design is different from the single slope conventional solar still. It consists of two compartments which are in communication by a slit. One of the two compartments contains an absorber. In a previous work, the area S of the absorber was 0.29 m² and the slit's width e was experimentally optimised. As for the prototype studied in the work, it was realised with the optimal width found in the previous work and an absorber area S equal to 0.965 m². The energy exchanges within the still were studied, mainly the heat transfers by convection, evaporation-condensation and radiation. Then an experimental testing of the solar still was performed, both for water and alcoholic distillation. In the case of the water distillation, two days were selected. The temperature measurements allowed the calculation of the heat exchanges. The experimental productivity of the still was determined, as well as its efficiency. As for the alcoholic distillation, two days were also selected. The productivity was determined for the two compartments. The evolution of the alcohol rate of the distillates was also studied.