Novel cylindrical solar still integrated with parabolic solar concentrators, vapor extraction fan, and nano-enhanced phase change material

The world faces a growing water crisis due to a booming population and dwindling freshwater reserves. This study explores innovative approaches to solar desalination by introducing a novel cylindrical solar still (CYSS) design and integrating technologies such as cylindrical absorber (MCYSS), MCYSS with parabolic solar concentrator (PSC), external condensers, and silver nanomaterial-based phase change material (PCM). Experimental results revealed that the yield of MCYSS was ameliorated by 195 % as compared to that of the CSS. Moreover, the increase in distillate production for the modified CYSS with parabolic solar concentrator (MPCYSS) is 245 % higher than that of the conventional CSS. In addition, the productivity attains 2900 and 11,600 mL/m²/day for the CSS and the MPCYSS with fan (external condensation), severally. Consequently, the increase in output for the MPCYSS is 300 % higher than that of the CSS. While MPCYSS-PCM achieves a remarkable daily yield of 11,800 mL/m², exceeding the CSS's output of 3050 mL/m² by an impressive 287 %. The best case of operation was obtained for the MPCYSS with fan, where the efficiency and water cost were 72.4 % and $0.0147 per liter. Moreover, the annual CO₂ emissions associated with the two primary configurations: MCYSS + PSC + Fan and MCYSS + PSC + PCM are estimated to be 31.9 tons and 30.8 tons per year, respectively. Also, the enviroeconomic parameters, with values of 462.5 and 446.6 per year for the MCYSS + PSC + Fan and MCYSS + PSC + PCM configurations, respectively.