Studying performance, energy, exergy, economic, environmental, and sustainability analyses of solar still using different storage materials

The main goal of this study is to investigate the performance, energy, exergy, economic, environmental, and sustainability analyses of single-slope solar still using different sensible storage materials. Three different storage materials were used: pebbles and basalt, which are common storage materials, and aluminum dross, which is a new storage material. The performance of still with storage material was compared to that of the traditional solar still. The study findings indicated that, compared to a conventional solar still, using pebbles, basalt, and aluminum dross increased water productivity by 7 %, 11.4 %, and 21.2 %, respectively. The thermal efficiency increased by 5.4 %, 15.7 %, and 22 % for pebbles, basalt, and aluminum dross, respectively. The increase in exergy efficiency was 43 %, 15.3 %, and 22 % for pebbles, basalt, and aluminum dross, respectively. Based on sustainability analysis, aluminum dross achieved the lowest payback time based on energy which was lower than three years, followed by basalt and pebbles. Also, aluminum dross achieved the highest energy production factor, followed by basalt and pebbles. The total annual cost was $22.73, $25.4, and $26.91 for pebbles, basalt, and aluminum dross, respectively. The exergo-economic based on energy and exergy was the highest for aluminum dross followed by basalt and pebbles. The environmental analysis revealed that the mitigated carbon dioxide by pebbles, basalt, and aluminum dross was 5.59 tons, 7.23 tons, and 8.21 tons, respectively. In conclusion, regardless of aluminum dross having the highest annual cost, it achieved the highest water productivity and efficient operation based on environmental and sustainability levels.