In this study an attempt has been made to predict the rate of moisture evaporation by natural and forced convection from jaggery in a controlled environment. For this purpose, we have adopted simulating software called Fuzzy logic in MATLAB software (Version 7.0.1). Initially the input values from the literature, namely the jaggery temperature (Tj), surface temperature (Te), and the relative humidity (RH), were taken corresponding to different jaggery dimensions (0.03 × 0.03 × 0.01 m3, 0.03 × 0.03 × 0.02 m3, and 0.03 × 0.03 × 0.03 m3) with a total quantity of jaggery of a (0.75 kg and 2.0 kg) that are fed in the software tool box and the output values of moisture evaporation (me) were predicted. These values were compared with the experimental values and it was seen that there is close accuracy between the values. The results from this investigation indicate that the Fuzzy tool predicts the moisture evaporation rate with an absolute error varying from no error in the case of a jaggery piece of dimensions 0.03 × 0.03 × 0.01 m3 to a maximum error of 0.27 for a jaggery piece of 2 kg and of dimensions 0.03 × 0.03 × 0.02 m3 in the forced convection mode. The values of root mean square error and coefficient of determination are calculated and they are found to be 0.112 and 0.986, respectively. Thus it is concluded that the Fuzzy logic can be used to accurately predict the results with a minimum error and the present model can be extended to different places corresponding to different weather conditions, namely ambient temperature, solar radiation, and relative humidity.

Water, vital for life, is largely unusable despite being renewable. Growing populations, urbanization, and pollution continually deplete the world’s drinking water supply. A third of the global population faces freshwater scarcity. Natural sources can’t fully meet demand, necessitating efficient water desalination. Solar stills, utilizing solar desalination, offer a low-energy solution, particularly beneficial in electricity-deprived rural areas. However, their potable water output remains a challenge. Hence, research on modelling and transport factors is essential for enhancing solar still design efficiency”. In this study, a multi-phase two-dimensional model of a single slope passive solar still was developed using Fluent, ANSYS 19.2. Using the simulated data, the solar still’s performance was evaluated against experimental data. The simulation model predicted a maximum distillate output of 0.0692 kg/m².hr, which closely aligned with the experimental value of 0.58 kg/m².hr, indicating strong agreement between the simulation and experimental results. The error percentage in terms of water temperature between the simulated and experimental results was found to be 1.55%.”

Nature has naturally desalinated water for centuries through the process of solar heating, where oceanic water transforms into vapor and then returns to Earth as freshwater precipitation. Freshwater is vital for sustaining life, but growing populations, industrial expansion, and increased agricultural production have created a rising demand for it. Desalination has emerged as a potential solution to address water scarcity. Existing desalination technologies fall into two categories: single-phase processes like reverse osmosis and electro-dialysis, and phase-change processes such as distillation and solar stills. While single phase processes provide freshwater, some rely on non-renewable fossil fuels for energy, indirectly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Solar distillation, in contrast uses renewable energy from the sun, offers a promising and sustainable alternative for freshwater production. Solar stills employ shallow water basins within enclosed structures, as moisture collects on the interior surface of the glass cover, cooled by natural airflow. In this study, two 250 X 250 mm2 single slope solar stills were designed, one conventional and the other modified with nanofluids and reflectors. The experiment assessed their performance in Hyderabad’s typical climate, with a glass cover slope of 17.45°. Both stills operated with a 1 cm water depth (500 ml) to observe the water distillate output. Readings were recorded for two different nanofluid concentrations (considering 0.08% and 0.1% of Cerium Oxide nanoparticles by volume mixed with water) allowing for a comparison of their cumulative hourly yields and effectiveness in increasing freshwater output.