Performance analysis of distillate quality in solar still using culinary discharge

ABSTRACT

The scarcity of clean water is a pressing global problem resulting from limited freshwater resources and substantial sewage discharge. It is essential to develop cost-effective and straightforward methods for converting wastewater into potable water to ensure the long-term sustainability of the human population. In this study, we introduce a simple and efficient technique that combines a single slope solar still (SSSS) with a sand bed filtration system. We evaluated the effectiveness of this technique by examining various water quality parameters, including pH, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, turbidity, alkalinity, hardness, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, phosphate, nitrate, and E. coli, for kitchen wastewater (KWW), settled kitchen wastewater (SKWW), and borewell water (BW). Our results showed that the SSSS process successfully removed impurities and bacteria via solar evaporation, resulting in significant improvements in all water quality parameters. The SKWW demonstrated the highest efficiency of 40%, with a water depth of 1 cm and a daily freshwater yield of 3.1 Lm-2. The SSSS process offers several advantages over conventional wastewater treatment methods, including high performance, ease of use, portability, and low cost, making it a promising solution for obtaining clean water in remote areas.

KEYWORDS:

• Solar energy
• kitchen wastewater
• solar still
• water quality
• efficiency
• yield rate

Acknowledgements

Mr. U. Karthick expresses gratitude to Dr. K. Ganesh, the management, administration, and principal of SSM Institute of Engineering and Technology, for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout the duration of this work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Karthick Uthappan

Karthick Uthappan currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at SSM Institute of Engineering and Technology. He obtained his B.E. degree from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Velammal Engineering College, Chennai, India, and his M.E. degree from the Department of Energy Engineering at Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore, India. His research interests include solar desalination and heat exchangers.

Subramanian Murugesan

Subramanian Murugesan is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at SNS College of Technology. He earned his B.E. degree in Mechanical Engineering from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, India, and his M.E. degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, India. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in CNC Machining and Optimization from Anna University, Chennai. His research interests encompass solar desalination, machining, optimization, material science, manufacturing, and FEA.

Karthickmunisamy Thangavel

Karthickmunisamy Thangavel currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Muthayammal Engineering and College. He obtained his B.E. degree in Mechanical Engineering at Ranganathan Engineering College, Coimbatore, India, and his M.E. degree in Thermal Engineering at Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, Coimbatore, India. His area of research includes solar desalination and solar air heating.