Experimental assessment of optimized size of sandstones as inexpensive natural thermal storage materials to improving the performance of hemispherical solar distillers

Mohammed El Hadi Attia (), Abd Elnaby Kabeel (), Mohamed Abdelgaied () and Moataz M. Abdel-Aziz ()
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Mohammed El Hadi Attia: University of El Oued
Abd Elnaby Kabeel: Delta University for Science and Technology
Mohamed Abdelgaied: Tanta University
Moataz M. Abdel-Aziz: Horus University

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2025, vol. 27, issue 8, No 82, 20027-20046

Abstract: Abstract The present study aims to In order to overcome the problem of freshwater scarcity, which represents a global challenge facing many countries around the world, especially remote countries. To achieve that goal, we suggest using readily available and inexpensive natural thermal storage materials to improve the freshwater productivity rates of hemispherical solar distillers, which represents an effective option for remote areas to overcome the problem of freshwater scarcity. This was done by adding sandstones in the basin of the hemispherical solar distiller as a readily available and inexpensive natural thermal storage material, to increase the rates of vapor generation within the hemispherical distillers, which is characterized by having a large surface area for receiving and condensing compared to other types of solar distillers. The sandstones utilized in this study are characterized by being highly effective in increasing the rates of absorption of solar rays, as well as increasing the rates of heat transfer to basin water. To reach the best size of sandstones that achieve the highest performance, four different particular sizes of sandstones (6, 10, 15, and 19 mm) are investigated and compared with classical distillate. The results presented that the use of sandstones with a size of 19 mm represents a very effective choice to achieve the highest performance of hemispherical solar distillates. The utilization of sandstone with 19 mm size causes improved accumulative productivity from 5.85 l/m2 day (for reference distiller) to 8.9 l/m2 day, with an improvement of 52.14%. Also, the use of sandstone causes improved thermal efficiency from 47.73% (for reference distiller) to 72.07%, with an improvement of 51.02%.

Keywords: Solar energy; Hemispherical distiller; Sand stones; Optimal sizes; performance improvement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-024-04808-x

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