Abstract

Abstract:

We are currently facing a global water crisis caused by an expansion of industrial production and accelerated population growth. The dire need for clean water has created the opportunity for innovation, such as the invention of the solar still. The solar still poses a viable solution because it uses renewable energy (heat from the sun) to purify salt water (a plentiful source). Nevertheless, complete optimization of the solar still has yet to be achieved. More specifically, researchers have yet to fully investigate the effects of varying solar still cover sheet thickness on the amount of effluent produced. Based on previous research conducted by Edoja et al., this study strives to replicate that solar stills with the thinnest plexiglass sheets would be most effective at desalination and water purification (measured by rate and salinity/conductance) because thinner panels increase the rate of evaporation due to an increase in still temperature. In order to address this knowledge gap, three identical solar stills were built that had distinct cover sheet thickness. The original model was fabricated based on the design of Edoja et al.’s stills, but it was quickly realized that this model leaked and led to heat escape. In response, the design was adapted to have a circular basin and a cover sheet made from saran wrap. Using 150 W halogen light bulbs, the environmental conditions that a solar still would have experienced outdoors were simulated inside of the science classroom.