Desenvolvimento e avaliação de um destilador solar piramidal para produção de água para consumo humano advinda de captação superficial para situações emergenciais

Abstract

For different circumstances and times of the year, access to water through a system of underground and surface water catchment may be ceased, exposing the local population to recourse to non-viable sources to remedy the temporary water shortage. This study aimed at the evaluation of the viability of using a pyramid solar still to produce water and quality for human consumption in emergency situations. The pyramid solar still was built, with a 0.25 m² glass cover area, and operated based on known recommendations to maximize its productivity, through solar energy. The meteorological factors that influence the production of a solar still are solar radiation, ambient temperature, wind speed and relative humidity. These factors were monitored to evaluate the potential of production efficiency for local characteristics. Done 69 collections of production and 7 batches of quality analysis of raw and produced water, to evidence that the present solar still was able to produce, an average of 3.18 L/m².day with 35% efficiency and water, according to the parameters analyzed as proper for human consumption. The evaluation of the viability of the use of the technology depends on the use of larger scale solar stills for use in the region, considering that the potential volume produced is dependent on the cover area of the solar still to capture solar energy.