MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

CAL POLY POMONA

INTERDEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE
TO: Dr. Kevin R. Anderson
ORG: Mechanical Engineering

DATE: November 29, 2011

REF: G7/L1

FROM: Student Chuanye Liu, Me 407A-01 Wed. Fall 2011

SUBJECT: Solar Still

References:
[1] The official U.S. government source for fuel economy information website.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_pem.shtml
[2] Dr. Kevin R. Anderson Solar Thermal Engineering lecture notes.
[3] Dr. Henry Xues thermodynamics (ME 302) lecture notes (Spring/2010).
[4] Principles of Solar Engineering by D. Yogi Goswami, Frank Kreith, and Jan F.
Kreider; 2nd edition.
Summary:
In order to have a better understanding of how the solar still works, our group did the
Solar Still Experiment at a location nearby Building 17 at California State Polytechnic
University, Pomona. After carefully doing the experiment, and analyzing the data, the
group collected 55mL of clean water from the solar still, and the experiment took about 8
hours long.
Background:
Distilling water for drinking purposes is especially crucial in semi-arid or arid countries
where surface water is limited and groundwater is saline. Although extensive research
into water desalinization is taking place, simple solar stills like this one are appropriate
for single household use in developing countries. The design is inexpensive and easy to
construct, there are no moving parts, which simplifies maintenance, and only the sun's
energy is required for operation.
Test Configuration:
1

Solar stills (Figure 1) operate on the same principles that produce rainfall. When sun is
allowed into the still, the water is heated and eventually begins to evaporate. Using a
black base speeds up the heating process by absorbing more rays. In this process, only
pure water vapor rises in the still and the salt is left behind in the basin. In addition, the
high temperatures produced destroy all pathogens that may be present in the water. When
the evaporated water vapors hit the glass, they cool and condense into liquid again. The
water then runs down the sloped glass and collects in a trough. Studies using the design
illustrated below conclude that approximately 25in2 (of glass cover) (Figure 2) will distill
around 4 liters of water per day, over five hours of full sunlight.

Figure 1. Solar still structure

Figure 2. Solar still experience Setup

Test Methodology:
In this lab, the group used a solar still to collect clean water, while collecting
environmental data at the same time. The data is listed in Table 1.
Temp
ambient
(oC)

Time
(min)

Vel Wind
(m/s)

Temp
Surface
(oC)

22.4

1.8

27

20.1

1.8

27

10

20.1

1.5

26

15

21.5

0.5

27

20

20.8

1.5

28

25

20.6

1.9

28

30

20.7

2.3

25

35

20.7

1.6

26

40

21.2

0.8

27

45

21.2

1.4

29

50

21.2

0.8

27

55

21.1

1.6

24

60

21.5

0.7

25

G
66
0
75
1
71
0
68
0
85
0
90
0
41
0
66
0
55
0
54
0
54
0
40
0
41
5

Temp
Water
(oC)

Temp
Condensate
(oC)

27.8

18.2

20.2

18.6

22.3

19.4

23.7

19.5

23.9

21.2

22.8

20.2

22.7

19.3

23.5

18.5

25.1

19.4

24.2

19.2

21.3

19.1

23

18.8

24.4

20.1

Table 1. Environmental data

Accurate equipment were been used when collecting these data. (Figure 3)

(a) Thermal Meter

(c) Wind Speed Meter

(b) Solar Power meter

(d) Water measuring pot

Figure 3. Equipment

Uncertainty Analysis:
The biggest uncertainties of this experiment would come from two issues the heat loss
from the back of the frame, and the moisture leaking.
Summary:

By doing and analyzing this lab, the group was able to understand the basic theory of
how a solar still works. The efficiency of the solar still is highly depending on the
weather condition. The strength of the solar radiation would change the result of this
experiment dramatically.

Prepared by:
Chuanyeliu Liu