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Project Abstract

Single Basin Wick Type Solar Distillation Plant

Solar distillation is a tried and true technology. The first known use of stills dates back to 1551 when it was used by Arab alchemists. Other scientists and naturalists used stills over the coming centuries including Della Porta (1589), Lavoisier (1862), and Mauchot (1869). The first "conventional" solar still plant was built in 1872 by the Swedish engineer Charles Wilson. There is great demand for pure drinking water in developing countries. Often water sources contain dissolved salts and harmful bacteria, rendering the water unsafe for consumption. The same is the case in coastal regions, where there is plenty of seawater but very little drinking water. Pure water is also useful for batteries and hospitals. Water can be purified through several processes. Distillation is one such process, under which water is evaporated using heat, and the vapours are then condensed into pure water. In solar distillation units, solar energy is used for water evaporation. The energy required to evaporate 1kg of water is 2,260KJ (kilojoules). This is at 100 % efficiency of the system and, hence, would require much more energy based on the efficiency of the system. Energy required to pump 1kg of water to a height of 20m is 0.2kj/kg. However, solar energy is free. It is important to use this technology where there is no source of local fresh water. It can also be combined with rainwater harvesting for collecting water. The main component of the solar water distillation system is the tank and the cover. Solar radiation is transmitted through the glass cover and is absorbed by the black surface in contact with the water to be distilled. The heated water evaporates and condenses on the glass cover. The cover is at a lower temperature than the water being exposed to the ambient temperature. The cover glass is at an angle, and so the condensed water runs off the smooth surface into a gutter and finally into a storage vessel/tank. The system efficiency is the highest in the evening when the water is still warm and the ambient temperature is falling.

The basic principles of solar water distillation are simple yet effective, as distillation replicates the way nature makes rain. The sun's energy heats water to the point of evaporation. As the water evaporates, water vapor rises, condensing on the glass surface for collection. This process removes impurities such as salts and heavy metals as well as eliminates microbiological organisms. The end result is water cleaner than the purest rainwater. Estimation for the project is 3000 - 4000Rs.

Guided By:
MR. Rahul Tripathi

Prepared By:
Name Patel Gaurang J. Patel Jaimin K. Patel Mehul N. Patel Piyush P. Patel Ankit K. Patel Nikunj S. Modi Anand D. Enrollment No. 09ET405215 09ET405217 09ET405219 09ET405221 08ET4050 08ET4050 08ET4050 Group EB - 2 EB 2 EB 2 EB 2 EA 2 EA 2 EA 2

Approval:
Prof. S. N. Garg HOD Dept. of Mech. Engg.

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