Evaporation/Condensation in a Solar Still (Distiller) Transient CFD Simulation, ANSYS Fluent Training

The 3D Solar Still (Distiller) advances sustainable water purifying technologies. This unique solar distillation system uses a three-dimensional structural design to increase sunshine exposure and efficiency. Evaporating water leaves contaminants and condenses into clean, drinkable water on the colder still surfaces. This design boosts distilled water production and lowers processing time compared to flat solar stills. In our recent investigation, a valuable numerical paper is validated. You can check it here. Now, we are allowed to take a step further and conduct a CFD study about Evaporation/Condensation in a Solar Still (Distiller) and study the process unsteadily and in 3D configuration.

Simulation Process

The geometry and mesh grid are primarily generated. Due to the presence of three phases, including pure water liquid, water vapor and air, a Mixture multiphase module is utilized. The Rosseland radiation module and Solar Ray Tracing sub-model are coupled to simulate the radiative effects of the sun. It is a closed system and there isn`t any mass transfer through the boundaries. The evaporation and condensation process are solved according to Lee’s model.

Post-Processing

For the 3D Solar Still (Distiller), the transient CFD simulation offers valuable insights into its operating efficiency and performance dynamics. The simulation shows that the three-dimensional architecture improves still heat and mass transport. In particular, temperature distribution study shows a more uniform and larger temperature gradient over the water surface, accelerating evaporation. The airflow patterns created by the 3D structure help condensation on colder surfaces, increasing distilled water production. The transient simulation depicts how the system responds to changing solar intensity and ambient circumstances, offering a complete knowledge of its behavior under realistic settings. These results show that the 3D Solar Still can generate more cleansed water with better consistency than flat stills, making it a promising sustainable water purification option.