Investigation of a Pyramid Solar Still with CuO Nanoparticles-Paraffin Wax Blend as Energy Storage Material
J. Environ. Nanotechnol., Volume 14, No 1 (2025) pp. 1-6
Abstract
An experimental investigation was conducted to enhance the efficiency of pyramid solar still utilizing CuO nanoparticles as an energy storage medium. The primary objective was to improve water productivity and system efficiency by enhancing thermal energy absorption and storage by integrating copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles into the phase change material (PCM). The experimental setup includes two systems: a conventional pyramid solar still (CPSS) and a modified version incorporating 0.05% by weight of CuO nanoparticles. The performance was measured using key parameters such as water production, temperature variation, and system efficiency. The pyramid solar still incorporating CuO nanoparticles produced an average water yield of 7.0 litres per day, in contrast to conventional still that produces 3.7 litres per day, indicating 89.19% enhancement in water output. The modified still achieved a maximum water temperature of 72 ℃, whereas the conventional system reached 61.5 ℃. The research indicates that integrating CuO nanoparticles into pyramid solar still distinctly improves water production and thermal efficiency, presenting a viable approach for increasing freshwater generation in arid and semi-arid areas.
Full Text
Reference
Arulprakasajothi, M., Poyyamozhi, N., Saranya, A., Elangovan, K., Yuvarajan, D., Murugapoopathi, S., Kassian, T. T. and Amesho., An Experimental Investigation on Winter Heat Storage in Compact Salinity Gradient Solar Ponds with Silicon Dioxide Particulates Infused Paraffin Wax, J. Energy Storage, 82, 110503(2024).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.110503
Bacha, B., H., Mohammad, A. N., Naeem, U. and Nehad A. S., Applications of Different Types of Heat Pipes in Solar Desalinations: A Comprehensive Review, WST, 89(8), 2044–59(2024).
https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2024.094
Bharathiraja, R., Ramkumar, T. and Selvakumar, M., Studies on the Thermal Characteristics of Nano-Enhanced Paraffin Wax Phase Change Material (PCM) for Thermal Storage Applications, J. Energy Storage, 73, 109216(2023).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2023.109216
Bharathiraja, R., Ramkumar, T., Selvakumar, M. and Radhika, N., Thermal Characteristics Enhancement of Paraffin Wax Phase Change Material (PCM) for Thermal Storage Applications, Renew. Energy, 222(2024): 119986.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2024.119986
Chaichan, M. T. and Hussein, A. K., Single Slope Solar Distillator Productivity Improvement Using Phase Change Material and Al2O3 Nanoparticle, J. Sol. Energy, 164, 370–81(2018).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2018.02.049
Elashmawy, Mohamed, Mohamed M. Z. Ahmed, Wissam H. A., Shanmugan S. and Omara Z. M., Scientometric Analysis and Review of Materials Affecting Solar Still Performance, Results Eng., 23, 102574(2024).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2024.102574
Kateshia, J., and Vikas, L., A Comparative Study of Various Fatty Acids as Phase Change Material to Enhance the Freshwater Productivity of Solar Still, J. Energy Storage, 48, 103947(2022).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2021.103947
Kibria, M. D., Golam, M. D., Shahriar, M., Utpol, K. P., Barun, K. D. and Saidur, R., Impact of Hybrid Nano PCM (Paraffin Wax with Al2O3 and ZnO Nanoparticles) on Photovoltaic Thermal System: Energy, Exergy, Exergoeconomic and Enviroeconomic Analysis, J. Clean. Prod., 436, 140577(2024).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.140577
Kumar, P., Manoj, D., Sudarvizhi, K. B., Prakash, A. M., Anupradeepa, S., Boomiha R., Shanmathi S., Sumithra, K. and Surya S., Investigating a Single Slope Solar Still with a Nano-Phase Change Material, Mater. Today Proc., 45, 7922–25(2021).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.12.804
Kumar, R., Pandey A. K., Samykano, M., Belqasem A., Zhenjun M., Suvanjan B., Varun G., Imtiaz A., Richa K. and Tyagi V. V., Phase Change Materials Integrated Solar Desalination System: An Innovative Approach for Sustainable and Clean Water Production and Storage, Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., 165, 112611(2022).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112611
Kumaravel, S., Nagaraj, M. and Bharathiraja, G., Performance Improvement of Single Slope Solar Still with Exterior Cooling and PCM Using Direct Current Water Heaters and Photovoltaic Panels, 2nd International Conference on Edge Computing and Applications (ICECAA), 1455–62(2023).
https://doi.org/10.1109/ICECAA58104.2023.10212280
Mehta, V. K. B. and Hitesh P., Performance Enhancement of Single Slope Solar Still Integrated Through Nanoparticles/Nanofluids and Phase Change Material – a Detailed Review, (2023).
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4481518
Mustafa, M. S., Mousa, M. G., Mohamed, Mohamed K. D., Tamer M. M. and Tamer N., Energy, Exergy, Economic and Environmental Analysis of Single Slope Solar Still System Using Phase Change Material, Results Eng., 103108 (2024).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2024.103108
Nakade, A., Anurag A., Kalash M. and Vednath P. K., Experimental Analysis of Two Stage Solar Still Integrated with Thermal Storage Based Solar Collector Using Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Materials, Desalin. Water Treat., 320, 100755 (2024).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100755
Sathyamurthy, R., Silver (Ag) Based Nanoparticles in Paraffin Wax as Thermal Energy Storage for Stepped Solar Still – An Experimental Approach, J. Sol. Energy, 262 111808(2023).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.111808
Selimefendigil, F., Ceylin Ş. and Hakan F. Ö., Experimental Performance Analysis of a Solar Desalination System Modified with Natural Dolomite Powder Integrated Latent Heat Thermal Storage Unit, Int. J. Sustain., 14(5), 2650 (2022).
https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052650
Senthilkumar, N., Yuvaperiyasamy, M. Deepanraj, B. and Sabari. K., Fuzzy Logic-Based Prediction and Parametric Optimizing Using Particle Swarm Optimization for Performance Improvement in Pyramid Solar Still, Water Sci. Technol., 90(4), 1321–37(2024).
https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2024.277
Shabgard, H., Rahimi, H., Naghashnejad, M., Mogollon A. P., Sharifi, N., Mahdavi, M. and Faghri, A., Thermal Energy Storage in Desalination Systems: State of the Art, Challenges and Opportunities, J. Energy Storage, 52, 104799(2022).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2022.104799
Sonker, Varun K., Jyoti P. C. and Arnab S., Development of a Frugal Solar Still Using Phase Change Material and Nanoparticles Integrated with Commercialization through a Novel Economic Model, J. Energy Storage, 51 104569(2022).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2022.104569
Suraparaju, S. K. and Natarajan, S. K., Productivity enhancement of single-slope solar still with novel bottom finned absorber basin inserted in phase change material (PCM): techno-economic and enviro-economic analysis, Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int., 28(33) 45985-46006(2021).
https://doi.10.1007/s11356-021-13495-4
Yuvaperiyasamy, M., Senthilkumar, N., Deepanraj, B., Gokilakrishnan, G. and Premkumar, R., Application of Response Surface Methodology and Neural Networks in Pyramid Solar Still for Seawater Desalination: An Optimization and Prediction Strategy, Global NEST, 26(4) 05773(2024).
https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.005773
Yuvaperiyasamy, M., Natarajan S. and Balakrishnan D., Experimental Investigation on the Performance of a Pyramid Solar Still for Varying Water Depth, Contaminated Water Temperature, and Addition of Circular Fins, Int. J. Renew. Energy Dev., 12(6) 1123–30(2023).
https://doi.10.14710/ijred.2023.57327
Zayed, M. E., Kabeel, A. E. and Abdelgaied M., Comparative Performance Analysis of Pyramid-Shaped Solar Distiller Augmented with Phase Change Materials Enriched with Graphite Nanoparticles: Experimental Study, Environ. Dev. Sustain., 26(3), 1–21(2024).