Numerical Modelling of Basin Type Solar Stills

A numerical modelling for estimating the performance of basin type solar stills is described. Models for both the standard free convection solar still and a forced convection solar still with enhanced heat recovery are included. For the conventional free convection systems, the numerical modelling enables simulation of more complex systems with many more parameters compared to the existing models found in the literature. A new model incorporating heat and mass transfer in forced convection solar stills with enhanced heat recovery is described in this paper. The comparison of experimental and simulation results indicates that this modelling can predict distillate production at an acceptable level of accuracy.