An experimental and statistical investigation of concave-type stepped solar still with diverse climatic parameters

Abstract In the present research work, a concave-type stepped solar still is experimentally investigated. The statistical analysis shows the influence of different variables identified on the efficiency of the still. The proposed still was fabricated with a basin area of 1 m2, a concave-type stepped aluminum basin with 10 numbers of steps, 100 mm width, and 35 mm height. Based on the experimental results, a regression model developed in Minitab 19 statistical software was proposed. Depending on the value of the R square, the appropriate model was selected. For a set of data comprising efficiency, the temperature at various locations, the intensity of radiation, and the hourly yield from the still as an input variable. The statistical results revealed that the model developed with average values recorded in March is more significant as it possesses R square = 0.9944. Hence the proposed model was suitable for the estimation of the efficiency. The highest daily productivity (3.7 l/m2. day) was achieved during March 2020. This may be attributable to the highest average intensity of the radiation (1005 W/m2) and the most top average temperature difference of 10.5 °C.

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