Abstract

Two modifications of solar water distillers using cement and aluminum absorbers are presented experimentally. The first modification uses separated condenser to purge vapor from the cement absorber distiller to increase the condensation, while second modification uses a plate thermosyphon charged with acetone installed on the bottom of the water basin in the aluminum absorber distiller to increase input energy to the distiller, thus increasing water vaporization and condensation. The optimum tilted angle of the glazing surface calculated to between 10 to 20° at latitude angle of 30°. The daily productivity of the cement absorber distiller was 2.08 L/ (m².day) and increased by percentage of 18% using the separated condenser and the overall efficiency being increased from 35% to more than 48%. For the aluminum absorber distiller the average daily productivity was 2.96 L/(m².day) and increased to 3.49 L/(m².day) using plate thermosyphon with the overall efficiency being increased from 50% to more than 65%.  

Key words: Solar distiller, cement absorber, auxiliary condenser, aluminum absorber.