الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract This thesis provides experimental and theoretical study of a solar powered foldable apparatus used for water extraction from air in arid regions. The experiments were performed under the climate conditions of Mansoura city, Egypt (latitude 31.04°N and longitude 31.3785°E). The main component of the apparatus is absorber, which is a layer of black cotton cloth impregnated with Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) solution. It was designed to resemble an accordion shape. Transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cover enables the solar rays to transmit energy of solar radiation to the black absorber for raising its temperature. During night time, the absorber is placed in atmospheric air by unfolding and putting it on a telescopic stick for absorption process. The absorber collects moisture because of partial water vapor pressure difference between solution and air. During day time, the cover is mounted to isolate the absorber from the surroundings. The sun rays fall on the absorber surface causing its temperature to rise, which leads to evaporation of the absorbed water. The evaporated water condenses on the internal surface of the cover. Water can finally be collected in a graduated flask. During experiments, absorber, ambient, and cover temperatures, intensity of solar radiation, and accumulated condensate are recorded. The accumulated water reached 510 ml/m2.day. A mathematical model was developed for the period of regeneration and theoretical results were compared with experimental data. |