Correlation for Lewis number for evaluation of mass flow rate for simple/hybrid solar still

In isolated and arid areas, especially in the almost Maghreb regions, the abundant solar radiation intensity along the year and the available brackish water resources are the two favorable conditions for using solar desalination technology to produce fresh water. In this paper, a theoretical correlation named the “Lewis number” correlation is developed and used for the calculation of a simple and a hybrid solar distiller mass flow rate. Uses of single glass cover for periodically oriented still or double glass cover for fixed still are studied. Calculated results are compared with those obtained experimentally. It was found that the theoretical mass flow rate is in good agreement with that obtained experimentally.