Direct use of solar energy for water desalination

Solar energy utilization in three different types of solar desalination systems is considered. The overall efficiency of a typical basin type solar desalination plant is 30 per cent or lower. The major design factors affecting energy utilization are basin temperature, condensing surface temperature and ambient air temperature. Basic reflection and thermal radiation from the evaporating surface and transparent cover are the major sources of heat energy loss in a solar still. The efficiency of a solar desalination plant can be improved by controlling radiation from the plant basin and by the reuse of the latent heat of condensation.