Design Parameters of a Double-Slope Solar Still: Modelling, Sensitivity Analysis, and Optimization

Hossein Yousefi, Mohamad Aramesh and Bahman Shabani
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Hossein Yousefi: Department of Renewable Energies and Environment, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 1439957131, Iran
Mohamad Aramesh: Mechanical & Automotive Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
Bahman Shabani: Mechanical & Automotive Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-23

Abstract: This study presents a novel, highly detailed, and accurate modelling method for calculation of the total annual solar thermal energy received by a double-slope solar still. The model is further utilized for sensitivity analysis and optimization with the help of Genetic Algorithm and TOPSIS methods. The model reveals that the main parameters that can independently affect solar energy input are the basin length, width, tilt angle, surface azimuth angle, and the glass covers’ inclination angle. The sensitivity of the annual solar energy input to all these parameters is analyzed. Moreover, all the parameters are chosen to be involved in the optimization problem. Sensitivity analysis results show that except for basin azimuth angle all other parameters significantly affect the amount of energy input to the solar still. Genetic Algorithm identified 60 optimum sets of parameters, one of which was selected by the TOPSIS method. The optimum values for the basin width, length, tilt and azimuth angles, and the inclination angles of the two glass covers are 2 m, 2 m, 8°, 180°, 80° and 67°, respectively. This design of a double-slope solar still will receive an annual total of 97.67 GJ solar energy input.

Keywords: double slope solar still; desalination; solar thermal energy; modelling; sensitivity analysis; design optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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