Comparative exergy and exergy efficiency analyses of fabricated single and double slope solar still plants at Indore: case study

In this research project two solar still plants have been fabricated; single and double slope still plants. The exergy and exergy efficiency concepts have been applied for the comparative analyses of both solar stills. Experimental readings, i.e. various temperatures, amounts of distilled water and solar radiations have been taken for solar stills at different time intervals in Indore (22 degrees 43 ' 4.51 '' N and 75 degrees 49 ' 59.88 '' E). The percentage variations in the different parameters, i. e. increments in temperature, increments in quantity of water, thermal efficiencies, rates of exergy at inlet/outlet and exergy efficiencies have also been calculated for stills at various solar intensities and time intervals. After experimental and comparative analyses, better outputs have been shown at 14:50 PM for double slope and 14:45 PM for single slope plant due to the cumulative effects of solar radiations on the still plants. During this period thermal/exergy efficiencies, i. e. 46.630/1.949% and 47.259/3.389% were found the best. The performance of single slope solar still has been found better, and 14:30 to 14:50 PM time interval has been recorded superior for the distillation of water through still plants where percentage increments of the performance evaluating parameters were enhanced.