Thermo-economic assessment of a novel design of a solar distillation-cum-drying unit

This study on the novel design of a solar distillation-cum-drying unit describes the utilization of solar energy for its two major applications in a single unit. Experimentation has been performed on an inclined wick-type solar distillation-cum-drying unit (IWSD-DU) with reflector. The thermal performance of the developed unit has been analyzed at 50 ml/min water flow rate for bitter gourd drying and potato slices drying. Internal and external heat transfer coefficients for distillation have been evaluated to study the heat and mass transfer phenomenon in distillation unit. A parabolic reflector of high reflectance stainless steel is placed below the IWSD-DU unit to reflect the scattered solar radiations on the drying chamber. Simple linear regression method has been used to analyze the performance of the distillation and drying units. Total distillate output, energy, and exergy efficiencies of the distillation unit have been examined using experimental data. The internal experimental uncertainty that relies on the mass evaporated during the distillation and drying process has been also evaluated. The cost analysis of the combined unit has been evaluated to determine the economic viability of the system.