A modified basin type solar still: Experimental performance and economic study.

A solar desalination system working at sub-atmospheric pressure is investigated. The decrease of the saline water evaporation pressure allows a much reduction of energy required to operate the system. The desalination system consists of a solar basin connected to an external air-cooled condenser and utilizes a vacuum pump to develop the vacuum condition. The experimental results for different seasons are presented. A maximum desalination system efficiency of 40% is obtained. An enhancement of 16.2% and 29.7% in productivity and thermal efficiency, respectively are obtained compared with the conventional solar still. Eventually, a cost analysis is carried out to evaluate the constructed desalination system economically. Based on the analysis of the obtained results, the recommendations for improvement of the constructed system are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]