Optimizing the Productivity of Solar Water Desalination System Using Firefly Algorithm

This study investigates the effectiveness of single basin solar desalination unit equipped with pebbles and granite rock as filling material. Filling materials are thermal energy storage materials which absorbs solar heat and thus enhances the productivity of potable water. Even in low-light conditions, solar stills may provide satisfactory outcomes. The evaporation rate and output of solar still can be improved by using filler materials. Experiments are designed using Taguchi's technique and the distillate output is optimized using firefly algorithm. The still with pebbles provides the maximum daily productivity as compared with granite rock filling due to the absorption of higher solar energy. A deviation of 6.58% is observed between pebble and granite rock as thermal energy storage material.