Solar stills with low thermal inertia

摘要: Abstract A small plastic still of approx. 2 ft2 area was developed, incorporating several unconventional design features, viz, a floating solar absorber to heat thin layer surface water, and single-sloped roof with specularly reflecting back wall. The superior performance this still, when compared conventional units, is attributed its lower thermal inertia, the higher input per unit area, losses. Factors which are considered important discussed include: (1) significance inertia air space between water roof; (2) need for separate consideration evaporation condensation rates, resulting time delay their maxima during daily cycle. geometry orientation experimental stills in relation sun's altitude.