Solar Still Evaporation & Condensation Science Fair Project

Continuing Your Research

Continuing your research is a valid option for a second or third year science fair entrant. By continuing your research you can find new information or find additional evidence to support your original findings.

Solar House Experiments Kit	EDU 8405 Solar Power Science Kit	Windmill Science Fair Projects	SCG-125 Snap Circuits Green Alternative Energy
Ages 12 and up	Ages 10 and up	Age 10 thru college	Ages 8 and up

Objectives/Goals

The purpose of my project was to improve the efficiency of my solar still from 2007 by testing modifications to improve evaporation and condensation. The 2007 solar still was based on the El Paso Solar Project model and used to purify saline water.

Methods/Materials

The El Paso Solar Still from my 2007 project itself was an improvement using aluminum backed rigid insulation for the box. My research revealed two areas of possible improvement; evaporation and condensation. My 2007 solar still (0.372m2) was tested using my 2007 model recording 2008 temperatures and humidity, inside and outside my solar still. Production differences were also recorded. I then added a solar pump and spray nozzles inside my solar still to test evaporation production increases. I then changed the condensing cover from plastic to glass and reran the test. Finally, I changed the single glass cover to a dual glass cover and repeated the testing. Each test was compared to the 2007 solar still project without modifications.

Results

The unmodified 2007 solar still results were recorded as the baseline to compare the results of each test. The 2007 results were 2.0 liters/ meter square/ day. The solar pump increased results 40% to 2.8 liters/ meter square/ day. The glass cover increased results 90% to 3.8 liters/ meter square/ day. The dual glass cover caused my solar still to reach more than 180° F inside the box and increased production 185% to 5.7 liters/ meter square/ day

Conclusions/Discussion

My experiment proved that the efficiency of the solar still could be improved by making modifications to increase evaporation and condensation. The solar pump production increase was disappointing for the cost and additional work required to keep the pump operating properly during testing. The other improvements seemed the best because I did not have to repeatedly check my solar still during testing. 3rd party contributor