Report Number
FSEC-EN-3-80
URL
http://publications.energyresearch.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FSEC-EN-3-80.pdf
Abstract
The Florida Solar Energy Center receives frequent requests for information about solar distillation for purifying water. Distillations is one of many processes available for water purification, and sunlight is one of several forms of heat energy that can be used to power that process. Sunlight has the advantage of zero fuel cost but it requires more space (for its collection) and generally more costly equipment.
To dispel a common belief, it is not necessary to boil water to distill it. Simply elevating its temperature, short of boiling, will adequately increase the evaporation rate. In fact, although vigorous boiling hastens the distillation process it also can force unwanted residue into the distillate, defeating purification. Furthermore, to boil water with sunlight requires more costly apparatus than is needed to distill it a little more slowly without boiling.
Many levels of purification can be achieved with this process, depending upon the intended application. Sterilized water for medical uses requires a different process than that used to make drinking water. Purification of water heavy in dissolved salts differs from purification of water that has been dirtied by other chemicals or suspended solids.
Date Published
2-1-1984
STARS Citation
Florida Solar Energy Center and McCluney, Ross, "Solar Distillation Of Water" (1984). FSEC Energy Research Center®. 1307.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fsec/1307
Included in
Rights Statement
