Effect of chimney- typed solar still dimensions on the rate of drinkable water production based on Taguchi method

In the present study, two-dimensional modeling of a solar still with chimney-like geometry was performed in which the effect of eight geometric parameters including saline water tank width (W(B)), base height (H), as well as width and height of each of the three condensing channels (W(i) and H(i) ; i𝑖=۱,۲,۳) is evaluated on the average evaporation rate and Nusselt. The governing equations were solved numerically using the finite volume method by the well-known SIMPLE algorithm and the component transfer equations were used to model the surface evaporation and condensation. Samples were selected using Taguchi test design and sensitivity analysis was performed on the results. The results show that the width of saline water tank has the most effect on the productivity of the solar still. The most evaporation rate and Nusselt number equal to ۰.۴۸۳۵ kg.m(−۲).ℎhr(−۱) and ۵۱.۵۰ was obtained by the geometric characteristics of the W(B)=۵۰, H=H(۱)=H(۲)=W(۱)=W(۲)=W(۳)=۴۰,H(۳)=۲۰ centimeter, respectively.