This article was downloaded by: [University of Sussex Library]

On: 17 January 2015, At: 05:04

Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House,
37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK

International Journal of Solar Energy

Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information:
http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/gsol19

THERMAL MODELLING OF CONCENTRATOR ASSISTED

SOLAR DISTILLATION WITH WATER FLOW OVER THE
GLASS COVER
a a
G.N. TIWARI & BHAGWAN PRASAD
a
Centre for Energy Studies Indian Institute of Technology Delhi , Hauz khas, New Delhi,
Australia.
Published online: 03 Apr 2007.

To cite this article: G.N. TIWARI & BHAGWAN PRASAD (1996) THERMAL MODELLING OF CONCENTRATOR ASSISTED SOLAR
DISTILLATION WITH WATER FLOW OVER THE GLASS COVER , International Journal of Solar Energy, 18:3, 173-190, DOI:
10.1080/01425919608914314

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01425919608914314

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE

Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained
in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no
representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the
Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and
are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and
should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for
any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever
or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of
the Content.

This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic
reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any
form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://
www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
 lnr. J . Solar Energy, 1996, Vol. 18, pp. 173-190 O 1996 OPA (Overseas Publishers Association)
Reprints available directly from the publisher Amsterdam B.V. Published in The Netherlands
Photocopying permitted by license only by Hanvood Academic Publishers GmbH
Printed in Malaysia

THERMAL MODELLING OF CONCENTRATOR

ASSISTED SOLAR DISTILLATION WITH
WATER FLOW OVER THE GLASS.COVER
G. N. TIWARI and BHAGWAN PRASAD'
Centrefor Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi,
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110 016. India.

(Received 18 November, 1994; in final form 12 April. 1995)

We present the thermal modelling of a concentrator assisted solar distillation system by incorporating the
effect of water flow over the glass cover. Based on energy balance equation for each component of the
system namely the flowing water, the glass cover, the water mass and the basin liner. an analytical
expression for the temperature of the flowing water, the glass cover, the water mass and the yield have been
derived. Further an expression for an instantaneous thermal efficiency as a function of climatic and design
parameters have also been given. On the basis of numerical computation, it is inferred that there is
significant improvement in the performance of a solar still due to water flow over the glass cover. The
results have also been experimentally validated.

KEY WORDS: Solar Still, Heat Transfer, Purification

INTRODUCTION
The solar distillation can be'generally operated in a either passive mode or active mode.
The temperature range of passive solar still is referred as normal operating temperature.
Most of the work on passive solar still have been reviewed by Malik et al. [1982]. This
includes periodic analysis, performance, various design and economic evaluation along
with basic heat transfer processes. In order to increase the operating temperature range
of passive solar still, Rai and Tiwari [I9821 have analysed the passive solar still cum
flat plate collector system as suggested by Soleman [1976]. This system is known as
active distillation system. Recently, Tiwari [I9921 has reviewed the work on active solar
distillation till 1992 which includes the experimental work of Zaki et al. [1983]. Later
on, Sinha and Tiwari [I9921 and Prasad and Tiwari [I9941 have developed a
mathematical model for a concentrator assisted solar distillation as proposed by Zaki
et al. [1983]. It is observed that the operating temperature of the system is significantly
increased upto 70-80°C. The distilled water available at this temperature range becomes
free of bacteria. For further improvement of daily yield, there is a need to develop a
model of active solar distillation with water flow over the glass cover as carried out
by Rao and Tiwari [I9841 for passive solar distillation system.

'Physics Department, B.R. Ambedkar Bihar University. Muzaffarpur (Bihar), India.

173
 174 G.N. TIWARI AND B.PRASAD

In this communication, an analytical expression for instantaneous thermal efficiency

has been derived by using the energy balance equations for each component of the
system (Figure la). Numerical computations for an instantaneous thermal efficiency
have been ,carried out for a typical day of Delhi. Pararametric studies have also been
carried out. It is observed that the daily output is increased with flow of water over
the glass cover. Further, the output increases with decrease of water depth as in the case
of passive solar distillation system.

THERMAL MODELLING

Following assumptions have been made for writing an energy balance for each
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

component:
* the system is in quasi-steady state.
* the thermal capacity of insulation, glass cover and absorbing material is negligible.
* there is no temperature gradient along the depth of flowing water and the watermass
in the basin.
* inclination of the glass cover and concentrator are same.
* the partial vapor pressure and the solar intensity is constant during o-t time interval.
Energy balance equations are as follows:

(a) Flowing Water

Referring to Figure lb, energy balance for an elemental area 'bdx' is
dTf
h', (Tg- TI) bdx = mfCf - . dx + h', (T,- TJ bdx
dx
where
h', = hm + hca + hea
hm = 3.0 W/m2 OC; hca = 2.8 W/mZ OC for v = 0.0
and
P(TJ - Y . P(TJ
he* = 0.016 x hca x
7, - a
(h) Glass Cover
 THERMAL MODELLING OF CONCENTRATOR ASSISTED

surface
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

CPC (concentrator )

Pump Inlet
m

Figure l a Cross-sectional view of a concentrator assisted solar distillation system with water flow.

'+
Figure l b Overview of an elemental length 'dx' of the water flow.
 176 G.N. TIWARI AND B. PRASAD
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

Figure lc Photograph of the experimental solar still with collector system (A, = A)
 THERMAL MODELLING OF CONCENTRATOR ASSISTED

where

%Cw ArULF' 1, Duffie and Beckman [9]

F, = [ I - exp (- -
ArUL %CW
and expression for h, is given in Appendix,
and (d) Basin Liner
A, Ts S(t) = A,[h,(T,-TJ + hb(Tb- Ta)l
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

By using Eq. (2). Equation ( I ) can be written as

where.

and

The solution of Equation ( 5 ) . with help of TI/ = T, , becomes

/ r=o

The outlet and an average temperatures of the flowing water are

and
-
TI =-I1
L o
Trdr

With the help of Eqns. (2), (4) and (6), Equation (3) can be rearranged as follows:

where
 178 G.N. TIWARI AND B. PRASAD

1 - e-%L
h = -
"3
and A = -
h3 + hb aoL
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

If one assumes that

i) f(t) is considered as G) for o-t time interval.
ii) a is constant for o-t time interval,
and iii) o-t = At is small.
Then, the solution of Eqn. (7) becomes

with Tw1 = Two

I 1=0
After knowing Twfrom equation (S), the T, and% can be evaluated from Eqn. (6b)
and (6c) respectively. Further, the glass cover temperature can be determined from
equation (2) and it is given by
h, T~ A, + h; T r ~ g
Tg = (9)
A, h, + h', A8
Now, the rate of thermal energy due to evaporation can be written as
Q,, = hew(Tw- Tg)

The rate of distillate output can be determined from the following equation:

Further, an instantaneous thermal efficiency can be defined as

Qew -
- hew(Tw- Tg)
rli =
(A, + A,J S (A, + An) 3
with the help of Eqn. (lo), above equation reduces to
 THERMAL MODELLING OF CONCENTRATOR ASSISTED

where
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

Equation (12) represents an equation of straight line similar to the characteristic

equation for a flat plate collector. In this case the loss term is +ve unlike flat plate
collector. It is due to the fact that the solar still gives better performance for maximum
thermal losses from the condensing (cover) surface unlike the flat plate collector. The
behaviour of Eqn. (12) has been shown in Figure 6. The curve is linear as in the case
of flat plate collector (FPC) but behaves opposite to FPC.

NUMERICAL RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In order to evaluate the hourly yield (Eqn. 11) and an instantaneous thermal efficiency
(q,) (Eqn. 12), Equations (8), (6c) and (9) have been computed by using the climatic
parameters as shown in Figure 2. The design parameters used for numerical computation
have been given in Table 1.
The hourly variation of water, glass and flowing water temperatures have been shown
in Figure 3. The results have also been compared with the case of the system without
water flow. It is clear that the operating temperature in the case of water flow is reduced
due to fast heat transfer from the glass cover. Effect of flow velocity on evaporative
heat loss, hourly yield and daily yield have been shown in Figures 4 and 5 and
Table 2. Effect of water depth on internal heat loss coefficient and daily yield have been
given in Tables 3 and 4 respectively. Figure 6 gives the behaviour of qi verses
Two- T$S.

Table 1. Solar still and CPC collector design parameters

SI. Solar srrN CPC coNecror

no.
I.
2.
3.
%
7w
7, =
1 ;,om2
0.8
A,
(ar),
F,
=
=
=
I m2
0.8
0.79
4. Mw = ( I 0 kg, 50 kg, 100 kg) x = 0.0027 kgtsec
4190 J/kg OC U, = 6.0 W/ml'C
5. Cw = 4190J/kg°C Cw = 4190JAg°C
6. t = 3600 sec F' = 0.8
7. E,,, = 0.9 T = 0.01 m
8. a = 5.6697 x IOd W/m2k4 L = Im
9. L = 2.26 x 1061/kg A, = 0.062 m2
10. h, = 135.0 Wlm2"C y = 0.8
11. h. = 0.8 W/m2 OC
 180 G.N. TIWARI AND B. PRASAD

On the basis of Figures 3-6 and Tables 2-4, it is inferred that:

i) the operating temperature is reduced due to water flow due to fast release of heat
from the condensing cover (Figure 3).
ii) the evaporative heat loss coefficient is also reduced as the flow rate is increased
(Figure 4). It may be due to decrease in operating temperature (Table 2a).
iii) the hourly yield increases with increase of flow rate due to fast utilization of solar
energy during the day (Figure 5). However,the overall yield is reduced due to
increase of flow rate. It is due to the fact that CPC has not been disconnected during
low intensity periodloff-sunshine hours and hence additional loss is occurring
through CPC collector (Table 2b).
iv) the daily output increases with decrease of water depth due to reduction of storage
capacity (Table 4).
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

v) the internal heat loss coefficient is increased due to decrease of water depth.,It is
due to the fact that the operating temperature range is maximum for least water
depth (Table 3).
vi) the characteristic curve as shown in Figure 6 can be used for standerisation of the
proposed system as in the case of FPC.

Table %a). Effect of flow velocity on temperature at different time

(Water depth = 0.05 m)
Flow Temperature ("C)
velociry
mlsec Tn(marJ TH(ev) T-(nror) Txfm4 Txfev) T,fw)
0.0 85 62 24 78 56 19
0.10 74 50 21 60 39 17

Table 2(b). Effective of flow velocity on yield during sunshine and off-sunshine period
(Water depth = 0.05 m)

Yield ( k ~ l m ' J
Flow velociry
mlsec Sunshine Total
hours hours
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

THERMAL MODELLING OF CONCENTRATOR ASSISTED

Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

G. N. TIWARI AND B. PRASAD

Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

THERMAL MODELLING OF CONCENTRATOR ASSISTED

Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

G . N. TIWARI AND B. PRASAD

 THERMAL MODELLING OF CONCENTRATOR ASSISTED
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

Tw-
s
ha -
Figure 6 The varialion of r\, with (T_ - TJ / (S).
 186 G. N. TlWARI AND B. PRASAD

EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION

In order to validate the proposed theoretical model, an experiment was set up for Aa
= A, = 2.1 m2 (flat plate collector) in a forced circulation mode of operation (F, = 0.75).
In this case, a solar still with an effective area of 1 m2 has been considered and it is
connected to the flat plate collector through an insulated galvanised iron (G.I.) pipes
and a water pump of capacity 114 HP (38 W). The photograph of the system has been
shown in Figure 1C. The solar still is made-up of fibre-re- inforced plastic (FRP)
material of thickness 2 mm. There is a projection of vertical walls above the glass cover
to avoid the flow of water at edges to the glass cover of a solar still. A plastic pipe
with number of holes of an equi-distance (5 cm) is fixed at the top of the glass cover.
There is a provision to allow the water flow at constant pressure over the glass cover
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

through a plastic pipe.

The flat plate collector (Aa = Ar = 2.1 m2) is of the copper- tube-aluminium absorber
type. Rubber gasket has been used to fix the window glass of 4 mm thickness as glazing
over the collector body, made of aluminium extruded section. Bottom and side
insulations have been done by the use of glass wool in the collector. Black painted 0.8
mm thick aluminium sheet acts as a absorber plate. In the collector, copper tube has
been used as a riser. Ten 12.7 mm outer diameter copper tubes have been brazed to
two 25 mm outer diameter copper pipe heater to form the water channel. The copper
tubes are spaced at 120 mm distance and are in close mechanical contact with the
aluminium absorber plate.
The water pump is disconnected during off-sun-shine hours to avoid thermal losses
through the collector. The temperature of water in the basin and an ambient air are
measured by a calibrated copper-constantum thermocouples and murcury thermameter
respectively. The solar radiation on inclined collector and solar still are measured by
calibrated "SURYAMAPY" at hourly interval. The hourly yield has also been measured
with measuring flask.
The basin of solar still is filled with water upto 0.05 m depth. The flow rate of water
over the glass cover was kept constant within an accuracy of about 10%. The measured
flow rate through collector was 0.03 Kg/m2/sec.
The experiment was conducted for a typical days of Delhi during the month of
February/March with and without water flow over the glass cover. Two flow rate was
considered for experiment. Each set of an experiment was carried out for a number of
days under similar climatic condition. The average value of daily output have been
reported in Table 5. From this table it is clear that there is a fair agreement between
theoretical and experimental results as expected.

Acknowledgements
Authors are grateful to late Prof. N. C. Bhagat for fruitul discussion during preparation
of the paper.
 Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

Table 3. Effect of water depth (m) on internal heat uansfer coefficients for u = 0.1 mlsec

Time Radiative heat transfer Convective heat transfer Evaporative hear transfer Total heat transfer
(hour) co-eficient (hJ co-eficient (hJ co-eficient (ha) c222o-efficient (h,)
( W l d "C) (Wid "Cj (W/m2"C) (Wid "C)
 G. N. TIWARI AND B.PRASAD

Table 4. Effect of water depth on yield during sunshine and off- sunshine how for
u = 0.10 mlsec

Yield (kgP)
Water deprhs Sunshine Off-shine Toral
(m) hours hours
0.01 9.57 0.08 9.584
0.05 7.502 1.142 8.614
0.10 4.263 2.473 6.736
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

Table 5. Comparison of theoretical and experimental results for a water depth of 0.05 m
Flow velociry Experimental Theoretical Percentage
(mlsec) results results deviation
(Kglm2 day) (%)

APPENDIX

The total internal heat loss coefficient (h,) can be expressed, Prasad and Tiwari [I9941

h, = hw + hew+ hew
where

= 0.884 [ AT (
1 + cos p
h
2
) I I"

5 144
P(T) = exp [25.32 - 1
(T + 273)
and
 THERMAL MODELLING OF CONCENTRATOR ASSISTED

NOMENCLATURE

area of aperture, m2
area of the basin liner, m2
area of glass plate of solar still, m2
area of receiver, m2
breadth of solar still, m
specific heat of flowing water, J/kg OC
specific heat of water, J k g OC
CPC efficiency factor
flow rate factor
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

overall bottom heat transfer coefficient from basin liner to an ambient,

W/m2 OC
convective heat transfer coefficient from the flowing water to an ambient air,
W/m2 "C
convective heat transfer coefficient from basin water surface to glass cover,
W/m2 OC
evaporative heat transfer coefficient from the flowing water to an ambient
air, W/m2 OC
evaporative heat transfer coefficient from basin water surface to glass cover,
W/m2 "C
radiative heat transfer coefficient from the flowing water to an ambient air,
W/m2 OC
readiative heat transfer coefficient from basin water surface to glass cover,
W/m2 OC
total heat transfer coefficient from water surface to the glass cover,
W/m2 "C
total heat transfer coefficient from the flowing water to an ambient air
W/m2 "C
convective heat transfer coefficient from basin liner to water, W/m2 OC
convective heat transfer coefficient from the glass cover to the flowing water,
W/m2 OC
Length of the glass cover, m
Latent heat of water (J/kg)
amount of distilled water coming out per meter per hour, kg/m2-hr
flow rate of water on the glass cover of still, kg/sec.
flow rate of water through concentrator, kglsec
heat capacity of water J/m2 O C
saturated vapour pressure at glass surface temperature, N/m2
WO
saturated vapour pressure at initial water surface temperature, N/m2
P(T-) = partial vapour pressure at average ambient temperature, N/rn2
P(TJ = partial vapour pressure at average flowing water temperature, N/m2
P(T) = vapour pressure at temperature (T), N/mZ
Qew = rate of heat loss due to evaporation from water, W/m2
= rate of heat supplied by C.P.C. to still, W/mZ
-Q
S = average solar intensity, W/m2
 190 G. N. TIWARI AND B. PRASAD

Solar intensity, W/m2

time, sec
ambient air temperature, "C
temperature of the basin liner, "C
temperature of flowing water on the top of glass cover, O C
glass temperature, "C
initial glass temperature, O C
water temperature, O C
Initial water temperature, OC
overall top heat loss coefficient of cylinderical parabolic concentrator,
W/m2 "C
wind velocity, m/s
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 05:04 17 January 2015

velocity of water flowing on the glass cover m/s

position of coordinates along flow direction, m

Creek letters
p = angle of glass surface of still with horizontal (degree)
o = Stefan-Boltzman constant, W/m2 K4
y = relative humidity
TW = fraction of energy absorbed by water
% = fraction of energy absorbed by basin linear
= fractional energy absorbed by compound parabolic concentrator
(1x7)~~~
qi = instantaneous thermal efficiency

References
R. V. Dunkle. "Solar Water Distillation: The roof Type still and a multi-effect diffusion still".
International Development in Heat Transfer. A.S.M.E.. Part 5 . 895 (1961).
- -
J. A. Duffie and W. C. Beckman. "Solar Ennineerinn Thermal Processes". John Wiley and Sons. N.Y.
(1982).
H. Inaba. 'Experimental Study of Natural Convection in an Inclined Air Layer', Inr. J . Heat and Mass
Transfer. 27, 1127 (1984).
M. A. S. Malik. G. N. Tiwari. A. Kumar and M. S. Sodha. "Solar Distillation", Pergaman Press Ltd.
(UK)(1982).
B. Prasad and G. N. Tiwari, "Effect of Glass Cover Inclination and Parametric Studies of Concentrator
Assisted Solar Distillation System", Energy Research (Accepted) (1994).
S. N. Rai and G. N. Tiwari. "Single Basin Solar Still Coupeld with Flat Plate Collector'. Energy
Conversion and Management, 23, 145 (1982).
S. Sinha and G. N. Tiwari. "Thermal Evaluation of Concentrator-assisted Solar Distinllation Systems",
Heat Receovery System and CHP, 12, 481 (1992).
H. S. Soliman, (1976). "Solar Still coupled with a Solar Water Heater". Mosul University. Mosul. Iraq,
43 (1976).
G. N. Tiwari and V. Rao. "Transient Performance of Single Basin Solar Still with Water Flowing Over
the Glass Cover". Desalination. 48, 23 (1984).
G. N. Tiwari. "Recent Advances in Solar Distillation". Chapter 11. Solar Energy and Energy
Conservation. Wiley Eastern Ltd.. New Delhi, India (1992).
G. M. Zaki, T. E. L. Dali and H. El Shafieng, "Improved Performance of Solar Still", Faculty of
Engineering. Tripoli, Libya. Proc. First Arab Int. Solar Energy Conference held in Kuwait, p. 331
(1983).