Use of Perforation and Mathematical Modeling to Increase Solar-Based Steam Distillation System Efficiency

Abstract

Solar distillation system has recently been explored and used for the extraction of essential oil from different agricultural herbs. The efficiency of conventional distillation systems is low, and most are driven by hot gases. On the other hand, the solar-driven distillation system has higher efficiency and is based on renewable energy. The modified solar distillation system comprises a Scheffler reflector “concentrator,” newly design steam receiver, distillation still, steam condenser, florentine flask, and biomass-based boiler. A perforated circular pan added at the still bottom and pattern of steam flow and temperature distribution was examined using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique. The CFD simulation results showed that homogeneity in the steam distribution in the distillation still is required to get maximum essential oil extraction efficiency. The energy dissemination at different parts of the newly design solar distillation system was estimated using mathematical modeling. The results of different experiments showed that the yield of essential oils from fresh Rosemary and Cumin was 0.17% w/w and 1.11% w/w, respectively. The efficiency of the modified solar distillation system with a perforated pan and steam receiver was found to be 8% higher than the previous system.