Feasibility study of a solar desalination unit for small isolated communities
Abstract
Population growth and changing consumption patterns are intensifying the use of fresh water worldwide. While large-scale, expensive desalination solutions do exist, there is still a need for low-cost solutions for populations located far from major centers and in financial need. The main objective of the project is to design a low-cost and low-environmental footprint solar-powered seawater desalination unit and to verify its performance using a custom numerical simulation tool. The second objective is to provide a summary economic analysis to target the potential cost of water production when the single-basin still is compared with a double-basin still with similar characteristics. This numerical study of two types of solar stills – without technological improvements such as fins, sponges, etc. –shows that the production per m² of the two solar stills remains relatively low. Nevertheless, when ground space is available, simple solar stills appear to be robust, resilient, and cheaper solutions as a source of drinking water.