Solar Water Stills: Principles And Application

Since the 1980s, no large-capacity solar distillation plants have been built, mainly for the following reasons: Large installation areas are needed, solar distillation plants have low efficiencies, and solar water desalination has been developed, which in some cases can replace solar distillation (e.g., for medium-size communities). (more…)

Solar Water Desalination: Reverse Osmosis, Electrodialysis, and Mechanical Vapor Compression Desalination Methods

Solar energy desalination is a method by which the sun’s energy is used to desalinate brackish or seawater to produce fresh drinkable water. There are two methods for using solar energy: directly by heating and evaporating the brackish or seawater in a solar still (this method is called solar distillation) and indirectly by capturing solar energy using one of the techniques that transform solar radiation into thermal or electrical energy to drive a conventional desalination method (the indirect method is called solar-assisted or solar-driven desalination). (more…)

Solar Distillation Process

Solar distillation is the process in which solar heat is used to purify water from an impure water source by evaporation and condensation. When solar distillation is used to purify water from saline water, the process is also called solar desalination. Desalination converts saline water with high salt content, about 3.5% by weight in seawater and about 0.6% in brackish water, into fresh water suitable for drinking and other purposes. Use solar energy can be used for desalination, either as thermal energy through the use of solar thermal collectors or solar ponds, or as electricity. mainly through the use of photovoltaic cells. (more…)