Winter desalination enhancement using paraffin wax and lauric acid as phase change materials with twin-tubular solar stills in semi-arid climates

Conventional solar stills produce only 2 to 4 L/m² per day of freshwater; consequently, they cannot satisfy the daily freshwater demand, even for a single family. Literature indicates that tubular solar stills (TSSs) are more effective, although they encounter challenges such as heat loss and reduced productivity in winter due to lower heat flux. This necessitates advancements in the TSSs to address these challenges. The present research investigates the effectiveness of a double-tubular solar still when loaded with phase change materials (PCMs), such as paraffin wax and lauric acid, in producing more freshwater. The developed solar stills were tested with PCM containers in strategic locations to store and…