Application of heat sinks inside the pyramid solar distiller: experimental study on distiller performance under various operating conditions

Solar still is a cheap decentralized mode for obtaining potable water from saline water using solar energy, but it has low productivity. Previous studies showed that using pin fins in the absorber can increase the solar still efficiency and yield. The heat sink has better heat transfer properties than those of the pin fin because it has a higher surface area to volume ratio than that of the pin fin. The current study investigates the effect of heat sinks in passive pyramid solar still under two water depths (11 and 30 mm) on the hourly yield, accumulated yield, and efficiency of the distiller. Three cases were compared: conventional solar still (CSS), regular distribution of heat sinks (DHS), and grouped heat sinks in the middle of the solar still basin (GHS). In addition, the effect of atmospheric parameters such as solar radiation, UV index, humidity, dry bulb temperature, and ambient temperature on the solar still parameters such as water, vapor, cover, and feedwater temperature is investigated. Unexpectedly, heat sinks weakly affect the performance of solar still. Therefore, the conclusion of the previous studies that the finned absorber has a favorable impact on the solar still performance is not general and needs further investigation. The highest thermal efficiency was observed for the DHS and GHS at 30-mm water depth, where the efficiency was 35%.