Enhancing the performance of modified solar still using Al2O3 nanofluid by harvesting solar energy

The present research work has been carried out to analyze and compare the enhancement in productivity of modified double slope solar still (MDSSS) using harvesting solar energy along with Al2O3 nanofluid in the base fluid (Gomti river water). In terms of high demand for clean water, solar distillation is known as one of the most cost-effective and prominent technique as compared to other water purification processes, especially in coastal and arid areas. This method provided comparatively low yield; therefore, its performance was improved using Al2O3 nanoparticle with a surfactant sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate (SDBS). Experimental runs were carried out for the base fluid (without nanoparticles) and for nanofluid with 0.01 concentration. The effect of concentration of Al2O3 nanoparticle on fluid temperature and thermal conductivity of the base fluid had been considered which greatly enhanced the rate of evaporation as well as total efficiency of the system. The efficiency of nanofluid was found to be 25% higher than that of the base fluid. Moreover, the payback period was also evaluated to check the feasibility of modified solar still using Al2O3 nanofluid which was found more effective in terms of economic point of view.