Solar Desalination: Performance Enhancement using PCMs and Nanoparticles

This study presents an advanced hybrid solar desalination system aimed at addressing the growing challenge of clean drinking water scarcity in energy-constrained and remote regions. A modified single-slope solar still integrated with nano-enhanced phase change materials and coupled with a flat-plate solar water heater is designed and experimentally investigated under real climatic conditions. The integration of phase change materials improves thermal storage and nocturnal productivity, while nanoparticle additives enhance heat transfer and evaporation rates. Energy and exergy analyses reveal a significant reduction in irreversibility losses and improved utilization of available solar energy. The proposed system demonstrates substantial gains in freshwater yield and thermal efficiency compared to conventional solar stills, offering a scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable desalination solution for rural, coastal, and off-grid applications.