Numerical simulation and experimental study of new design of PV/T as desalination units

Other researchers have examined alternative methods for desalinating water in arid regions, focusing specifically on the utilization of solar energy due to its abundance and lack of negative environmental impact. Desalination is one of the many applications of solar energy, and this study proposes a novel approach that employs solar radiation to evaporate brackish and saltwater. By harnessing the heat generated by incident solar radiation on photovoltaic panels, water is able to evaporate under-controlled conditions. This paper is divided into two main sections: the first involves conducting experiments in the laboratory of Najaf Engineering Technical College, while the second entails the numerical simulation of proposed models using COMSOL Multiphysics V. 6.1 software. Previous research has demonstrated the use of heat produced on the back surface of solar cells to generate distilled water by passing non-potable water through a cotton wick attached to the back surface. The new design of the solar active photovoltaic distiller incorporates a solar photovoltaic, wick, and Peltier device. In this study, the Peltier device was employed to enhance the evaporation and condensation processes, resulting in a solar still that integrates the distillation system with the solar panel, thereby increasing productivity per unit area. The experimental and numerical results indicate that model 02 achieves a productivity of 0.827 kg/m² h, and 0.907 kg/m² h for flow rates of 2 mL/min and 4 mL/min, respectively. Model 02, which incorporates a Peltier device within a glass container, demonstrates higher productivity across all experimental days, with a maximum daily cumulative productivity of 4355.3 g. Furthermore, model 02 exhibits higher temperatures compared to other modules, with a maximum average back sheet temperature of 78°C in March and a minimum of 55°C.