Effect of climatic conditions on the performance of a simple basin solar still: a comparative study

Water has always been a source of energy for man. We use solar energy to change salt water into drinking water by solar distillation, a process that started away back in history. Obtaining water is one of the major occupations of rural peoples in the desert areas. The introduction of solar distillation in arid zones of Algeria promise to enhance the quality of life and to improve health standards, including infant survival. Natural fresh water resources are being depleted rapidly, as a result of population growth and socio-economical development. The increasing demand for water puts enormous strain on the underground aquifer, which results in lowering water levels and increasing salt content. The aim of our research has been to study the effect of desert climatic conditions on the performance of a simple basin solar still and a similar one coupled to a flat plate solar collector. Tests were conducted at the solar station of Adrar, an Algeria Saharan site. The performance of the simple still is compared with the coupled one. They were tested for all day productivity under clear sky conditions, with different depth levels of brackish water for winter and summer period and for a three months round test from January to March 2000. Data were taking during all type of sky conditions. A three months round study showed that the productivity of the simple basin and similar coupled to a flat plate solar collector strongly depends on the solar radiation and ambient temperature, The daily still productivity in summer period varies from 4.01 to 4.34 l/m(2)/d for simple basin solar still and from 8.02 to 8.07 l/m(2)/d for the coupled one.