Modification and Testing of Parabolic Concentrator Solar Water Distiller Project Report

“Modification and Testing of Parabolic Concentrator Solar Water

Distiller”

A

Project Report Submitted

in partial fulfillment

for the award of the Degree of

Bachelor of Technology

in Department of Mechanical Engineering

Supervisor: Submitted by:

Mr. Manoj Kumar Sain Siddharth Bhatnagar (12ESKME417)

(Reader) Deepak Singh (12ESKME408)

Rajesh Chordia (12ESKME410)

Sanjay Kumar Yadav(12ESKME412)

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Swami Keshvanand Institute of Technology, Management &

Gramothan, Jaipur

Rajasthan Technical University

May 2016

i

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Project Report entitled “Modification and Testing of

Parabolic Concentrator Solar Water Distiller” has been submitted by us for

fulfillment of the partial requirement of B. Tech. degree in Mechanical

Engineering. The work contained in this report is carried out by us under the

guidance of Mr. Manoj Kumar Sain and under the coordination of

Mr. Ajay Kumar Dhanopia and Mr. Sudhanshu Chajjed.

Supervisor:

Siddharth Bhatnagar

Mr. Manoj Kumar Sain

Rajesh Chordia

Project Coordinator:

Deepak Singh

Mr. Ajay Kumar Dhanopia

Sanjay Kumar Yadav

Mr. Sudhanshu Chajjed

ii

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

In pursuing our Bachelors of Technology in Department of Mechanical Engineering

undertook the task of completing our Project “Modification and Testing of Parabolic

Concentrator Solar Water Distiller”

We are grateful to many people for their insights and encouragement. We may not possibly

mention the names of all those people who have enriched and improved my knowledge. But

without the names of some people this Project Report would not be possible.

At the outset we would like to thank Dr. R. K. Pachar (Principal) and

Dr. S. L. Surana (Director Academics) for providing the facilities to pursue this Project in

such a prestigious and professional institution.

We would like to express our profound gratitude to Mr. Ajay Kumar Dhanopia (Sr. Lecturer),

our project coordinator.

We would also like to thank Dr. N.K. Banthiya (HoD- Mechanical Engineering) and

Dr. Alok Mathur (Professor) for their cooperation and support in the Project Tenure.

Finally, we take this opportunity to Thank Mr. Manoj Kumar Sain (Project Guide) for

showing faith in us and giving us full freedom to work. He has been a great source of

inspiration, guiding us whenever we needed his help. Working on the Project has been

interesting and rewarding due to support and freedom he has given us. We would also like to

thank Mr. Priyanshu Jain and Mr. Arjun Patidar for helping us with the Programming.

Last but not the least, we thank all those who directly or indirectly contributed & helped us,

while working on the project.

Siddharth Bhatnagar

Rajesh Chordia

Deepak Singh

Sanjay Kumar Yadav

iii

ABSTRACT

The modification and testing of a Parabolic Concentrator Solar Water Distiller is the

objective in order to enhance the efficiency as well as the usability of the existing product,

better performance is ensured by the control through microprocessor and sensors and so did

the overall operation by using a chain drive mechanism. The power unit is simply a battery

and a solar panel which also is used to track the sun’s position along with the equipped

sensors. The reduction in weight is achieved by using reflective aluminum metal sheets in

place of mirrors, thus making the set-up reliable enough to withstand routine life bumps.

iv

CONTENTS

Particulars Page No.

Certificate i

Acknowledgement ii

Abstract iii

List of Figures v

Chapter-1: Introduction 1 1.1 Scope of Project 1

1.2 Previous Developments 3

1.3 Objective 3

1.4 Site Selection 3

1.5 Maintenance 4

1.6 Safety Concerns 4

Chapter-2: Literature Review 5 2.1 Historical Background 5

2.2 Parabolic Concentrators 6

2.3 Solar Distillation 6

Chapter-3: Design Procedure 7 3.1 Identification of Need 7

3.2 Idea Generation 8

3.3 Concept Selection & Finalization of Design 8

3.4 Main Units 9

3.5 Components 10

3.6 Drawings 14

Chapter-4: Computer Program 19

Chapter-5: Fabrication 24 5.1 Arc Welding 24

5.2 MIG Welding 25

5.3 Lathe Operations 26

5.4 Metal Cutting 27

5.5 Metal Sheet Cutting 27

5.6 Finishing Operations 28

5.7 Programming 28 Experimental Procedure 29

Chapter-6: Result and conclusion 30

Chapter-7: Future scope 32

References 33

v

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Number Figure Name Page Number

Fig.: 3.1 Base Frame 9

Fig.: 3.2 Iron Frame 10

Fig.: 3.3 Parabolic Dish with Stand 11

Fig.: 3.4 Motor 11

Fig.: 3.5 Solar Plate 12

Fig.: 3.6 Battery 12

Fig.: 3.7 Circuit 13

Fig.: 3.8 Assembled Project 13

Fig.: 3.9 Components 14

Fig.: 3.10 Motor and Dish 15

Fig.: 3.11 3D Model of Project 16

Fig.: 3.12 Isometric View of Project 17

Fig.: 5.1 Arc Welding 24

Fig.: 5.2 MIG Welding 25

Fig.: 5.3 Facing Operation on Lathe 26

Fig.: 5.4 Turning Operation on Lathe 26

Fig.: 5.5 Sheet Metal Cutting 27

Fig.: 5.6 Grinding Machine 28

Fig.: 5.7 Flow Diagram 29

Fig.: 6.1 Average Annual Increased Usage 30

1

Chapter-1

INTRODUCTION

Human life sustainability depends mainly on water, together with the supply of energy.

Unfortunately, industrial Growth caused a deprivation of fresh portable water due to the

ground contamination, as well as surface water streams. This obstacle resulted in the

dispossession of the country’s water growing in alarming phase. Distillation is carried out by

several ways. Most of the existing distillation plants use fossil fuel as a source of energy. All

scientists agreed that the solar energy is one of the most acceptable alternatives for energy

supply in many parts of the world. Solar energy direct use is an admissible option that

eliminates the major required operating cost. Solar distillation depicts a most simple and

attractive technique compared to other distillation processes. It is suited to small and tiny

units in areas where solar energy is widely abundant.

Solar distiller design claims harmony of many factors like: efficient usage of energy, prevent

water leakage, real time tracing, user friendly, safe and portable.

1.1 Scope of Project

People in conventional energy deficient countries may benefit from the employment of a

solar water distillation system. The employment of a tracking system greatly improves the

ability gain from solar irradiation. However the potency of solar cell is often inflated with the

planning of parabolic solar concentrator and therefore the implementation of solar tracking

system. Solar tracking system is an application of employing a reflector and rotor angle as an

output channel to drive a motor. The motors can react because the mechanism of the sensor

to positive it continuously focuses on the target of sun. By employing a programming based

interface, closes loop management is enforced to produce interaction between sensor and

movement angle as a tool to regulate the motor to trace the sun. Solar tracking system with is

an efficient tool to extend the potency of the solar cells. As the sun is often half-track with

the parabolic solar concentrator, the voltage, current and power received can continuously

2

vary. This analysis may offer important improvement in energy usage. This project can be

continued and upgraded to urge the upper potency to the almost level.

In single axis or dual axis solar tracking system, we use solar panels that rotate to track the

maximum light intensity position with the help of microprocessor. But the problem lies in the

fact, here we have to use large solar panels of different wattage whose cost increases and

space requirement is also very large. If we want to generate huge electricity then we need

high capacity solar cells of large size which is economically difficult.

Inefficiency in production

A common criticism of solar energy is that it is comparatively inefficient. Solar

efficiency refers to the amount of radiation that solar panels can convert to electrical

energy, which is roughly 20%. Hence, a large surface area is required to produce lots

of electricity.

High installation cost

Capital costs associated with solar energy installation are very high. Particularly not

helpful is the high upfront costs of buying solar panels. Henceforth, we use a cyclic

parabolic concentrator and mount on it a rotating shaft with sensor connections that

help to rotate the shaft and hence the concentrator with the position of the sun. Here

arrangements are so made that light rays coming from different positions at different

instants get reflected through dish and after reflection from the parabolic

concentrator, meet at the focus. Thereby, it increases the intensity at focus.

A dish (parabolic concentrator), on the other hand, is formed by rotating the dish about its

axis; the focus remains a point are often called Point-focus concentrators. This parabolic

concentrator being attached to the shaft rotates with the container and thereby helps to

concentrate the light rays at the focus. The concentrator is so chosen that its focus coincides

with the container.

3

1.2 Previous Developments

Parabolic concentrator solar water distiller were firstly developed as very simple devices

used solely for the purpose of water distillation using solar energy but due to the fact that

they weren’t as efficient and their usability throughout the day was also not as much as it

should be hence they weren’t the typical “Value for money” product which a customer looks

to buy.

Passage of time saw the development and launch of Parabolic Concentrator Solar water

distillers mated along the Solar Trackers which ensures the maximum usability throughout

the day time as well as increased the overall efficiency of the product, due to this the

maintenance cost and running costs were reduced to minimum but the drawback left behind

was the high initial cost of the product which surely cannot be affordable to the major

fraction of the population.

1.3 Objective

The main aim of our project is that to increase the overall usability and the efficiency of the

product for distillation purpose by the help of microprocessor assisted real time based solar

tracking. The rotation is achieved by the means of stepper motor along with the chain drive

mechanism and bearings; we also planned to reduce the weight as much as possible so that

the motor and the drive system can rotate the dish.

1.4 Site Selection

Parabolic Concentrator Solar Water Distiller has its own requirements in terms of the

installation site such that there should be adequate amount of sunshine available throughout

the daytime, also since the calibration is based depending upon the sun’s position it is hence

latitude dependent of the area where it is to be installed so, the distilled needs to be precisely

calibrated according to the requirement. The most important consideration is that the distiller

remains at a good height and away from the reach of humans as disturbances caused to it can

result in unacceptable results.

4

1.5 Maintenance

The product’s major advantages include that it is easy to maintain and the maintenance cost

is also low, though minimal maintenance is required such that the lubrication of the

mechanical parts such as the Chain Drive Mechanism, special care is required for the

electrical parts such as motor, battery, circuits etc. as direct contact of them with water can

result in malfunction or electric shocks. Since, the product is automatic therefore it is not

advised to interfere manually during its operation, as the motor performance can be adversely

affected by doing so.

1.6 Safety Concerns

The user is advised to stay away during the operation of the product, specially the reflecting

metal sheets should not be touched at any cost as it will result in injury due to the very high

operating temperature of it, electrical components such as motor and battery should not be

disturbed other than by any specialized person, as it may result in electrical shock, the

maintenance tasks should be performed after disconnecting the battery terminals thus cutting

the supply.

5

Chapter-2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Historical Development

Parabolic Concentrator Solar water distiller were firstly developed as very simple devices

used solely for the purpose of water distillation using solar energy but due to the fact that

they weren’t as efficient and their usability throughout the day was also not as much as it

should be hence they weren’t the typical “Value for money” product which a customer looks

to buy [1, 6, 7].

Passage of time saw the development and launch of Parabolic Concentrator Solar water

distillers mated along the Solar Trackers which ensures the maximum usability throughout

the day time as well as increased the overall efficiency of the product, due to this the

maintenance cost and running costs were reduced to minimum but the drawback left behind

was the high initial cost of the product which surely cannot be affordable to the major

fraction of the population [2, 5, 9].

We planned to design such a Parabolic Solar Water distiller which will have all the features

of the existing product yet it’ll be so cheap that it’ll be affordable to the general masses; also

we planned that the product should be as light as possible so that it can be portable. We

reduced the cost of the mechanisms by simply controlling the movement by microprocessors

and the components responsible for the movement were as simple as the chain drive

mechanism of bicycle and wiper motor of automobiles.

6

2.2 Parabolic Concentrators

The other type of parabolic concentrator solar water distillers may include simple non

adjusting solar water distiller, single axis solar water distiller and dual axis solar water

distiller, along with this the parabolic concentrator’s working also depends upon with the

type of sensor or tracker to which it is being mated, which may include pre-programed

microprocessor or a sensor based microprocessor controlled unit which can detect the

changes and respond to them in real time [1, 2, 5, 10].

2.3 Solar Distillation

Solar distillation can be understood as simple as the process of water distillation carried out

without the use of any conventional source of energy such as electricity etc. instead of that

Solar energy which is found in abundance and has no such by- products or environmental

hazards and thus by converging the sun rays to a particular focus results in the availability of

heat energy which further can be used in order to distill the water adequate for regular

domestic purposes [3, 4, 8].

7

Chapter-3

DESIGN PROCEDURE

3.1 Identification of Need

The motivation behind selecting the very project for our team was that to modify and repair

the Parabolic Concentrator solar water distiller to such a horizon that the device can be a very

versatile product which can be used to its utmost level. In order to accomplish our target we

identified maximum of the current demands which needs to be attended in order to design,

develop and fabricate the product.

We decided to fabricate the Water distiller such that it uses non-conventional source of

energy which is available in abundance and is inexhaustible, for this we considered the

option of Solar Energy as an energy source, other considerations and priorities include that

the product should be cheap and its one-time cost should be as low as possible also, the

maintenance cost should be minimum which we ensured as the product is relatively cheaper

than the other competing products in the market, and the major area of its merit is the low

maintenance required by it and hence the maintenance cost are literally negligible. The

product has a very simple yet productive operation as its very user friendly which is achieved

by the fact that it is easy to assemble, the all-round simplicity ensures that it is easy for the

user to operate the product. In order to enhance the overall product there was a strong need of

it to be versatile, so that it can find its extensive application in very remote areas with least

amount of resources available, also apart from the energy input from the sun, a battery too is

attached so that the solar energy can be stored and can be used for other applications too, but

the most important need which we realized was the solar tracking done by the means of

sensor due to which there will be a significant amount of increase in the efficiency of the

product as the hours if its operations will be increased.

8

3.2 Idea Generation

The initial idea was simple; to repair and modify the existing parabolic concentrator solar

water distiller in such a way that the overall usability and therefore the efficiency of the

device gets increased, this could’ve been achieved by increasing the operational hours of the

device, for which we decided to mate the existing solar water distiller with a single axis solar

tracker device, by this the solar tracker can track the throughout changing position of the sun

as the day proceeds thus recording and adapting accordingly it can make the parabolic dish

getting in sync with the sun’s position and adapting itself as per the requirement thus

increasing the working hours of contact with the sun rays contributing to increase in the

usability and efficiency of the product.

Modifications to the initial frame unit were also planned as due to the presence of large

number of mirrors on the existing device there was a significant increase in the weight of the

frame unit due to which it became very difficult for any person to move it from one place to

another, also since there were many mirrors there was always a threat of them getting

cracked or stripped of from the frame unit. To tackle this problem and to increase the

reliability and reduce the weight we planned to remove the mirrors and the mesh and instead

of them we used highly reflecting aluminum metal sheets for the reflection purpose, this not

only reduced the weight of the frame but also the sheets are more reliable than mirrors.

3.3 Concept Selection and Finalization of Design

We selected the very same idea which we thought as it was feasible, realistic and can be

completed. As per our planning we modified the frame unit by detaching the mirrors and

attaching the reflective aluminum metal sheets, fabricated a support frame system on which

the parabolic dish is mounted at an angle of 27 degree as the latitude of Jaipur is 27 degree

north [12], for making the easy movement of the dish possible with the provided input we

used bearings on both the ends of the shaft on which the dish is mounted which is further

connected to a gear chain mechanism which is powered and controlled by the wiper motor

which gets the input from the microprocessors and sensors, there is battery as well as solar

9

panel present for energy input purpose. We finalized the design such that the parabolic

concentrator solar water distiller was to be mated with single axis solar tracker unit.

3.4 Main Units

For easy understanding we divided the whole product into 4 units which are:

1. Frame

The structure with simple framing fabricated with square iron bars accommodating a

centered rod on which the parabolic concentrator dish is mounted, with bearings

welded on either ends for smooth operation. Fig. 3.1 shows the Base Frame.

Fig. 3.1- Base Frame

2. Driving Mechanism

Driving Mechanism include the Wiper motor and the Chain Drive Mechanism which

constitute of the Chain ring and cogset.

3. Controlling Mechanism

The motion controlling is done by the means of sensors, the solar panel, the circuit

unit and the microprocessor. The motion to be delivered is only processed by the

controlling unit before it is sent as an output to the driving mechanism

10

4. Power Source

A battery along with the solar panel are the power sources for the product, the solar

panel charges the battery by converting the solar energy into electrical energy while

battery performs its task of circulating the power throughout the system for its

required functioning.

3.5 Components

1. Iron Frame

The frame is made by welding square iron bars together. Fig. 3.2 shows Frame.

Fig.3.2 - Iron Frame

2. Concentrating Dish

The Parabolic Concentrating Dish is simply a dish but instead of using mirrors as the

reflecting media, reflective aluminum metal sheet is used for the same, the sheet is

fastened to the dish by the help of nut and bolts as shown in Fig. 3.3.

11

Fig.3.3- Parabolic Dish with Stand

3. Chain Drive Mechanism and Bearings

The chain drive mechanism includes the basic parts of the same mechanism that is

found in a simple bicycle such as the bearings, chain, 48T chain ring and 18T cogset.

4. Stepper Motor

Two-way Stepper Motor of 7.5 amp rating is used; the motor has a RPM of 60 while

the torque is 23 N-cm. Fig. 3.4 shows the Motor.

Fig. 3.4- Motor

12

5. Solar Panel

12W Solar Panel is an essential component in tracking sun’s position as well as is

useful in recharging the battery by converting the solar energy into electrical energy.

Fig. 3.5 - Solar plate

6. Battery

A 12V 7.5A Battery is used for powering the whole system, as it is self-sufficient in

driving the wiper motor and the electrical components of the circuit.

Fig. 3.6- Battery

13

7. Circuit

The electrical circuit houses the microprocessor encoded with the computer program

by which the movement and the racking will be monitored and controlled.

Fig.3.7– Circuit

Fig.3.8 shows the Assembled condition of the project.

Fig.3.8: Assembled Project

14

3.6 Drawings

Fig.3.9: (1) Sprocket, (2) Cogset, (3) Battery, (4) Solar Panel.

15

Fig.3.10- (1) Motor; (2) Concentrating Dish

16

Fig.3.11: 3D Model of Project

17

Fig.3.12: Isometric View of Project

18

BILL OF MATERIAL

Table - 1

Sr.No. Name Qty. Price

1 Aluminium sheet 1 500

2 Gear 2 200

3 Bearing 2 200

4 Solar Panel 1 1500

5 Motor 1 800

6 Battery 1 800

7 Sprocket Chain 1 150

8 Relay Circuit 1 1000

9 Others - 500

Total=5650

Table 1: Bill of Materials

19

Chapter-4

COMPUTER PROGRAM

The following program is written using the Embedded C programming language and the

software used to write the program and its testing is done in Arduino IDE and the

microprocessor used is Arduino Uno.

void setup()

{

pinMode(3,OUTPUT);

pinMode(4,OUTPUT);

pinMode(5,OUTPUT);

pinMode(6,OUTPUT);

// put your setup code here, to run once:

}

void loop()

{

digitalWrite(3,1);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,1);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(30);

digitalWrite(3,0);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,0);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(10000);

digitalWrite(3,1);

digitalWrite(4,0);

20

digitalWrite(5,1);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(30);

digitalWrite(3,0);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,0);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(10000);

digitalWrite(3,1);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,1);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(30);

digitalWrite(3,0);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,0);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(10000);

digitalWrite(3,1);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,1);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(30);

digitalWrite(3,0);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,0);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(10000);

digitalWrite(3,1);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,1);

21

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(30);

digitalWrite(3,0);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,0);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(10000);

digitalWrite(3,1);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,1);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(30);

digitalWrite(3,0);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,0);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(10000);

digitalWrite(3,1);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,1);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(30);

digitalWrite(3,0);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,0);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(10000);

digitalWrite(3,1);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,1);

digitalWrite(6,0);

22

delay(30);

digitalWrite(3,0);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,0);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(10000);

digitalWrite(3,1);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,1);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(30);

digitalWrite(3,0);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,0);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(10000);

digitalWrite(3,1);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,1);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(30);

digitalWrite(3,0);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,0);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(10000);

digitalWrite(3,1);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,1);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(30);

23

digitalWrite(3,0);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,0);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(10000);

digitalWrite(3,1);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,1);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(30);

digitalWrite(3,0);

digitalWrite(4,0);

digitalWrite(5,0);

digitalWrite(6,0);

delay(10000);

digitalWrite(3,0);

digitalWrite(4,1);

digitalWrite(5,0);

digitalWrite(6,1);

delay(12000);

digitalWrite(3,0);

digitalWrite(4,1);

digitalWrite(5,0);

digitalWrite(6,1);

delay(3600000);

}

24

Chapter-5

FABRICATION

The manufacturing of the product included many of the manufacturing processes which are

as follows:

5.1 Arc Welding

Arc welding is a type of welding that uses a welding power supply to create an electric arc

between an electrode and the base material to melt the metals at the welding point. They can

use either direct (DC) or alternating (AC) current, and consumable or non-consumable

electrodes. The welding region is usually protected by some type of shielding gas, vapor, or

slag. Arc welding processes may be manual, automatic, and semi-automatic.

Fig.5.1: Arc welding

Manufacturing of the framework was done by welding the metal bars by arc welding process.

Because the ability to bend the electrode and small space the electrode takes allow the

process to be used in comparatively tight spaces. The self-shielded process can weld with a

very long electrode stickout.

25

I. High electrode efficiency

II. Greater deposition rate

III. Less post welding cleaning

IV. Can weld almost all metal

V. The process is easily automated

5.2 MIG Welding

Metal inert gas (MIG) is a welding process in which an arc forms between a consumable wire

electrode and the work piece metal(s), which heats the workpiece metal, causing them to melt

and join. Along with the wire electrode, a shielding gas feeds through welding gun, which

shields the process from contaminants in the air.

A constant voltage, direct current power source is most commonly used but constant current

as well as alternating voltage can be used.

I. Consumable electrodes are easy to feed

II. No filler rod is needed

III. Welding is simple

IV. Inert gas shield protects the weld automatically

V. Faster welding speed

VI. Simple to learn

The dish was mounted on the base such that it was welded first to a base plate and later

welded to the main frame using the MIG welding because dish is heavy and to sustain load or

rigid tight joint MIG welding is suitable.

Fig.5.2-MIG welding

26

5.3 Lathe Operations

In order to achieve the required components we performed the operations such as Facing,

Turning, Chamfering and Drilling on the Lathe machine.

I. Facing

Facing is the process of removing metal from the end of a workpiece to

produce a flat surface. When a lathe cutting tool removes metal it applies

considerable tangential force to the workpiece. To safely perform a facing

operation the end of the workpiece must be positioned close to the jaws of the

chuck. The workpiece should not extend 2-3 times its diameter from tha jaws

unless a steady rest is used to support the free end.

Fig.5.3: Facing operation on lathe machine

II. Turning

Turning is a machining process in which a cutting tool, typically a non-rotary

tool bit, describes a helical tool path by moving more or less linearly while the

workpiece rotates. The cutting of faces on the workpiece is perpendicular to

its rotating axis.

Fig.5.4- Turning operation on lathe machine

27

It is the removal of metal from the outer diameter of a rotating cylindrical

work piece. It is used to reduce the diameter of work piece and to produce a

smooth finish on the metal. Step turning and taper turning both were used to

fabricate the shaft.

5.4 Metal Cutting

The metal cutting is done by a relative motion between the work piece and the hard edge of a

cutting tool. Metal cutting could be done by a single point cutting tool or multi point cutting

tool. The unwanted raw metal was to be removed so metal cutting operations using the

manual hacksaw, automatic hacksaw Machine and automatic cutter were done.

5.5 Sheet Metal Cutting

Sheet metal cutting is a major classification of many different press working operations. The

separation is caused by shearing forces acting on the metal through the edges of the punch

and die.

Since sheet metal was also associated with the project we cut the sheet metal by the means of

sheet cutter in order to get the desired output.

Fig.5.5: Sheet metal cutting

28

5.6 Finishing Operations

Operations such as Grinding and Filing were also performed in order to improve the surface

finishing as well as in cases where extra metal was to be removed.

Grinding is an abrasive machining process that uses a grinding wheel. Grinding practice is a

large and diverse area of manufacturing. It can produce very fine finishes and very accurate

dimensions.

A grinding machine often shortened to grinder, is any of the various power tools used for

grinding. Accuracy in dimension in grinding is of the order of 0.000025 mm.

Fig. 5.6– Grinding machine

5.7 Programming

Programming is done with the help of Arduino, it is an open source prototyping platform

based on easy to use hardware and software. It is able to read inputs- light on a sensor, finger

on a button. Programming is done on the hourly basis each hour it rotates the dish 10 degree,

Arduino includes resistors, relays, Integrated Circuits which provides the output in the form

of signals to the battery, which transmits the required power to the motor to rotate the dish.

29

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

The Parabolic Concentrator solar water distiller uses sunrays to detect and recharge the

battery; the working can be understood as when the sunlight falls on the Solar Panel and the

Dish which are installed at the same angles i.e. 27 degrees considering the latitude of Jaipur

City, the Solar panel use the input and convert it into electrical energy and thus recharges the

Main Battery while on the other hand for the distillation purpose to take place the sunlight

must fall on the dish in a good amount and intensity. The microprocessor unit is powered by

another smaller battery; the microprocessor is programmed such that it regulates the flow of

power to the Main Battery which provides the necessary amount of current to the motor

which rotates the dish. The programming done is such that there is a rotation of about 5

degree of the dish from its initial position every half an hour [13].

Fig.5.7: Flow Diagram

Sunlight

Sunlight

Charging

Power to

Motor

Power to

MP

Regulate

Power

Desired Movement

30

Chapter-6

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The modification done resulted in significant increase in the efficiency and the usability of

the product as the Average Annual Peak Daytime in Jaipur city is only 6 Hours [11] i.e. the

product is only useful for the specified amount of time throughout the day; whereas the

Average Annual Daytime is 8 Hours 50 minutes [11] for which the product can be used for

the distillation purpose for 170 minutes more thus increasing the efficiency by a considerable

47%.

Average Annual Peak Daytime = 360 min/ day

Average Annual Daytime = 530 min/ day

Increase in Average Annual Usage/ day = 170 mins

Percentage Increase in Usage = (170/ 360) * 100 = 47.22 % ~ 47%

Fig. 6.1 shows the comparison of the usability of the previous and the new product.

Fig.6.1: Average Annual Increased Usage.

Average Annual Peak Daytime = 360 min/ day

Average Annual Usable Daytime = 530 min/ day

Average Annual Daytime = 730 min/ day

Increase in Average Annual Usage/ day = 170 mins

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

ModifiedProduct

OldProduct

AverageAnnualIncreasedUsage(mins/day)

AverageAnnualUsage(mins/day)

31

Efficiency Increase as compared to the Original Product = [(530-360)/530]*100

= (170/530)*100

= 32.07 % ~ 32%

Overall Efficiency Increase = [(530-360)/730]*100

= (170/730)*100

= 23.28 % ~ 23%

The Modification and testing of the Parabolic Concentrator Solar Water Distiller being

successfully performed yielded the results revealing a significant 47% more usability and

efficiency of the product as compared to its predecessor, the frame work is sturdy enough to

handle routine life bumps, the product is lightweight enough so that it can be portable, the

overall user experience is simple yet productive.

These are the following points:

I. Sun tracking system, internal and external reflectors, extended surfaces, energy

storage are the efficient performance improvement modifications in the solar

distiller.

II. High amount of salinity in the feed water decreases the yield of a solar distiller.

III. Ambient condition like solar radiation, temperature, and wind speed directly

affect the distillate output.

IV. Aluminum is better material compare to steel and copper for the absorber due to

light weight, cheap and efficient.

V. Humid air properties significantly affect the performance of solar system and

need to consider during thermal modeling.

32

Chapter-7

FUTURE SCOPE

The modified product employs a single axis tracking mechanism which can only respond and

adapt to the sun’s position and the inclination of the dish is totally dependent upon the

latitude of the location where it is to be installed thus when moving away from the location

can result in the non-function ability of the product, to tackle this the dish mounting

mechanism can be updated to a Double axis mechanism where one axis will be responsible

for the sun tracking task while other can be used for adjusting with the latitude of the location

of installation.

I. To harness the large solar radiation concentrators should be tested with

different designs of solar stills.

II. Thickness of wick materials needs to be optimized for future work.

III. To increase the solar collected area for improvement in the system.

IV. Water cover cooling and hot water circulation can be tested in inclined wick

solar still for higher output.

V. From future view point , combination of different parameters with new

simple and practical designs of passive solar still can make solar distillation

technique high efficient.

33

REFERENCES

[1] Bello- Ochende, T., and Meyer, J.P., “Solar Tracking for a Parabolic Dish used in Solar

Tracking,” Journal, Dept. of Mech. & Aero.Engg., University of Pretoria, pp. 3, 13

[2]Chaichan, M.T., and Kazem, H.A., 2104, “Water solar distiller productivity enhancement

using concentrating solar water heater,” Elsevier Case studies in Thermal Engg., 5, pp. 151-

159

[3] Saha, P., and Goswami, S., 2014, “Light Sensor based automatic solar tracking system

using parabolic reflector and lens focusing action for maximum power point tracking,”

IJETAE, 4 (2), pp. 286-289

[4] M.F.El-Refaie, Performance analysis of the stationary- reflector/tracking- absorber solar

collector, 1989, Energy Conversion andManagement 29(2),pp. 111-127.

[5] S.T. Ahmed, Kh.I. Abaas, Water distillation enhancement using domestic solar water

heater, 2008, 26 (5).

[6] Garg H.P. and PrakashJ., 2000 “Solar Energy” Tata McGraw-Hill, New Delhi.

[7] Gowtham, M., SharathChaner, M., Mallikarujanan, K.V., and Karthikeyan, N., 2011,

“Concentrated Parabolic Solar Distiller with Latent Heat Storage Capacity”, IJCEA, 2 (3),

pp. 185- 188.

[8] Stine W.B. and Harrigan R.W. (1985) “Solar Energy Fundamentals and Design”. John

Wiley and Sons Inc., New York.

[9] J. Rizk, and Y. Chaiko “Solar Tracking System: More Efficient Use of Solar Panels”

Proceedings of World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology Volume 31 July

2008 ISSN 2070-3740.

[10] Alternative Energy Tutorials, Parabolic Trough Reflector, 2011, http://www.alternative-

energy-tutorials.com/solar-hot-water/parabolic-trough-reflector.html

[11] latlong.net, <http://www.latlong.net/place/jaipur-rajasthan-india-5130.html>

[12] Weather Spark beta, <https://weatherspark.com/averages/33936/Jaipur-Rajasthan-India>

[13] The Weather Channel, < http://www.weather.com/>

Modification and Testing of Parabolic Concentrator Solar Water Distiller Project Report

Engineering

Transcript of Modification and Testing of Parabolic Concentrator Solar Water Distiller Project Report