THE EFFECT OF THE CAPILLARITY ON THE EFFICIENCY OF WICK-TYPE SOLAR ENERGY WATER DISTILLATION Riki (a) Bagas Dwi Nur Sasongko (a), FA. Rusdi Sambada (a*)
Sanata Dharma University
Kampus III Paingan, Maguwoharjo, Depok, Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
*sambada[at]usd.ac.id
Abstract
The low efficiency of the wick-type solar energy water distillation is due to the significant flow rate of contaminated water that will be distilled at the absorber. The flow rate of water in the absorber is generally regulated using a faucet. However, setting the water flow rate using a faucet is very difficult to produce a low water flow rate. This study examines a new method of regulating the flow rate of inlet water in wick-type solar energy water distillation using the capillarity method. The study was carried out experimentally using a distillation model with an absorber area of 0.54 m2 and a cover glass thickness of 3 mm. The water flow rate will be varied by varying the thickness of the absorber by 0.08 and 0.16 mm. The results showed that the inlet water flow method using the capillarity method could increase the efficiency of solar energy water distillation compared to solar energy water distillation by adjusting the inlet water flow rate using a faucet. The highest efficiency increase of 34.2 percent was obtained at a variation of 0.08 mm absorber thickness. Distillation of solar energy water is generally needed in remote areas where drinking water sources have been contaminated with contaminants that are harmful to health. Regulating incoming water using the capillarity method is a simple method that can be applied to the community, especially in remote areas.
