Desenvolvimento de um dessalinizador solar com reaproveitamento de calor para pré-aquecimento e sistema de aquecimento híbrido da água salobra

Abstract

The global scarcity of potable water, exacerbated by climate change, stands out as a significant challenge, affecting billions of people. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened this problem, especially in socially vulnerable areas. In this context, solar still emerges as a promising, sustainable, and low-cost solution to alleviate access to potable water. However, there are significant challenges in increasing the efficiency of solar still equipment and consequently, their productivities. Therefore, this study aims to contribute to knowledge construction in the field of sustainability, specifically in ensuring access to water, by designing a high-efficiency solar still with a heat recovery system adapted for the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. To achieve this objective, this research conducted a systematic literature review and, based on this review, designed, constructed, operated, and compared the results of a solar still with evacuated tubes and heat recovery systems (Gruta 1) with a conventional solar still (Gruta 2). The data showed that the designed equipment is 1.7 times more productive and exhibited over 40% efficiency when compared to a conventional solar still, as Gruta 1 was able to produce 2.66 L.m-2.day-1 while Gruta 2 only produced 1.51 L.m-2.day-1. Additionally, Gruta 1 achieved a cost of US$ 0.044 per liter of desalinated water.