Department of Energy, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences. Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Desalination of brackish water using solar still is a desirable and attractive option for decentralized and sustainable fresh water production. The author of the present study has recently developed and conducted experimental investigations on an improved stepped solar still. Their experimental results indicate a very good performance of this solar still. However, this unit cannot produce fresh water during the night due to the lack of sunlight. To overcome this problem, storing solar energy during the day and utilizing it at night can be a suitable solution, achievable through the use of phase change materials (PCM). In the present study, the effect of adding paraffin wax as a PCM to the absorber of the improved stepped solar still was experimentally investigated. For this purpose, two improved stepped solar still with identical dimensions and specifications were simultaneously tested, one being simple and the other equipped with the PCM. The experiments were conducted in June 2021 under the climatic conditions of Kerman city. The test results show that using the PCM relatively improves the performance of the desalination unit, enhancing its efficiency by 3.7% to 12% under different design and operating conditions.
امیری,ح. and Ahadi,G. (2025). Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Phase Change (PCM) Materials on the Performance of an Improved Stepped Solar Still. (e235951). Journal of Renewable and New Energy, (), e235951
MLA
امیری,ح. , and Ahadi,G. . "Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Phase Change (PCM) Materials on the Performance of an Improved Stepped Solar Still" .e235951 , Journal of Renewable and New Energy, , , 2025, e235951.
HARVARD
امیری ح., Ahadi G. (2025). 'Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Phase Change (PCM) Materials on the Performance of an Improved Stepped Solar Still', Journal of Renewable and New Energy, (), e235951.
CHICAGO
ح. امیری and G. Ahadi, "Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Phase Change (PCM) Materials on the Performance of an Improved Stepped Solar Still," Journal of Renewable and New Energy, (2025): e235951,
VANCOUVER
امیری ح., Ahadi G. Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Phase Change (PCM) Materials on the Performance of an Improved Stepped Solar Still. Journal of Renewable and New Energy, 2025; (): e235951.
