Performance and Exergy Loss Analysis for a Single- Slope Solar Still Using PMMA

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This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | 04 | Page :
    By

    Yogendra Nigam,

  • Rahul Kumar Singh,

  1. Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering Rabindranath Tagore University Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, India
  2. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Rabindranath Tagore University Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

A solar still constructed using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) represents an improved approach to solar desalination, in which conventional materials such as metal or concrete are substituted or reinforced with PMMA- based composites PMMA sheets are often used as the transparent glazing cover of the solar still instead of glass. It allows maximum solar radiation to pass into the basin, heating the saline/brackish water effectively. A tubular solar still made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composite is a lightweight desalination system    that offers a larger condensation surface compared to conventional designs. The single-slope solar still, a basic yet effective water purification device, utilizes solar radiation to evaporate saline or impure water, and subsequently condenses the vapor to obtain fresh, distilled waterIt consists of a shallow basin filled with saline or contaminated water, covered by a transparent sloping Acrylic Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA). The system operates on the principle of evaporation and condensation, mimicking the natural water cycle. The experimental reading was conducted in central India (23.24° N and 77.39° E) in the month of June 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The results indicated that the standard single slope solar still achieved an exergy efficiency of 7.4% and an exergy output of 18 W at peak temperature at 10 am at 39.8 0C temperature.

Keywords: Single slope, solar still, yield, water, exergy

How to cite this article:
Yogendra Nigam, Rahul Kumar Singh. Performance and Exergy Loss Analysis for a Single- Slope Solar Still Using PMMA. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(04):-.
How to cite this URL:
Yogendra Nigam, Rahul Kumar Singh. Performance and Exergy Loss Analysis for a Single- Slope Solar Still Using PMMA. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(04):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=248485


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
04
Received 04/10/2025
Accepted 06/12/2025
Published 01/07/2026
Publication Time 270 Days
1

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