Performance Evaluation of a Double-Slope Solar Distiller Integrated with Air Heater and Air-Cooled Condenser

In this study, the covers of the conventional double slope solar distiller (CDSSD) were replaced with a glass air heater and a glass air-cooled condenser. Ambient air was circulated through the air heater and air-cooled condenser to recover unavoidable heat losses in air heating as an auxiliary product. The thermal performance of the double slope solar distiller integrated with an air heater and an air-cooled condenser (DSSD-AH-ACC) was mathematically evaluated under real weather conditions and varying air flows. The results showed that increasing air flow through the air heater and air-cooled condenser improved the efficiency of the DSSD-AH-ACC by nearly 40%. Additionally, the DSSD-AH-ACC, under air flows of 0.01–0.1 kg/s, was 14%–60% more efficient than CDSSD, despite an 18% reduction in distillate production. Furthermore, the thermal performance of the DSSD-AH-ACC responded directly to hot weather with calm wind.