Use of thermal energy storage materials for enhancement in distillate output of solar still: A review

Solar energy is an abundant and safe source of vitality and therefore is distinguished as one of the most promising alternative energy choices. Nevertheless, solar energy is intermittent in nature as there is not sun at night. Its total availability value is seasonal and is hooked on the meteorological conditions of locations. Hence, solar energy presents an unsteady energy resource. So, thermal energy storage will be necessary to save the available solar energy at a period of no load or when excessive solar energy is available and to make up for the shortage of energy when the load is in need of energy. The distillate output of a solar still is low i.e., 3 l/day, hence it is not used in the industrial and domestic applications and it is used during the sunshine hours. Hence, for the effective use of solar still, the distillate output needs to be increased. Hence, thermal energy storage materials are used to store the energy during the sunshine hours and release during off-sunshine hours for increment in distillate output This article reviews the different thermal energy storage materials tried by various researchers in India to improve the distillate output of a solar still. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.