Techno-economic model of a solar still coupled with a solar flat-plate collector

Abstract

In this paper, a techno-economic model has been developed for a solar still coupled with a flat-plate collector through a heat-exchanger. The model is based on the establishment of periodic steady-state conditions. The economic criterion used in the model is based on the least cost of a unit mass of distilled water evaluated from the life-cycle costing of the system. To evaluate the model, numerical calculations have been made corresponding to the climate of Delhi (India). It is concluded that the addition of a solar collector enhances the distillate yield; however, this is not always economical. This system therefore needs careful and economic system design