Performance and Economic Studies on Fibre Re-inforced Plastic Solar Distillators

Year round performance and cost analysis is presented for different types of solar distillators: basin type and multiple wick type. Performance of six such stills, built by using glass fibre re-inforced plastic materials under different treatments in order to improve the overall performance and to enhance the life time, was studied. On the basis of data acquired during the year 1983-84, economic calculations are made. It is found that the cost of distilled water produced from a typical single basin still with FRP coating and from an FRP multiple wick still per litre is Rs. 0.36 and Rs. 0.30 respectively. A detailed discussion on various aspects of design, fabrication, assembly and maintenance of these solar distillation systems is also added.