The objective of this project was to provide continuous clean water from saline influent using thermal energy from the sun. Though the process of distillation is highly energy intensive, the use of solar energy can provide a renewable source of energy that can produce off-grid, clean water in any location that has high solar radiation.

 

The solar thermal desalination system harnesses energy from sun with a parabolic concentrating mirror that heats an evacuated tube. Heat is taken from the tube by an oil heating loop and delivered to a heat exchanger that acts as a boiler to heat the saline water. The produced steam is condensed and distilled water is produced.

 

This year the project team is working to reduce heat losses and increase the efficiency of their system