Participant Detail

Research Title

Design and Optimization of an Autonomous Solar Distillation System for Arid Climates

Research Abstract

Freshwater scarcity constitutes a critical constraint on sustainable agricultural development in arid regions. In the context of Turkmenistan, where deserts occupy over 80% of the territory and natural water mineralization reaches 10–30 g/L, providing pasture livestock with water of regulatory quality presents a significant socio-economic challenge. The consumption of hyperhaline artesian water disrupts animal water-salt metabolism, leading to reduced productivity and economic losses. This study aims to develop and substantiate an autonomous solar distillation unit designed to produce water with physiologically optimal mineralization for various livestock species. The system's structural basis is a spherical evaporation module (1.5 m diameter) made of borosilicate glass, integrated with a parabolic concentrator (f/D = 0.7). The spherical geometry minimizes specific heat losses and facilitates multiple internal radiation reflections, while the concentrator increases heat flux density by 40–60%. A combined heating scheme establishes a temperature gradient of 25–40°C between the evaporation zone (60–85°C) and the condensation zone (35–50°C), thereby intensifying phase transition without the use of external electricity. The calculated system productivity ranges from 35–55 L/day in the summer period to 15–25 L/day in winter. A key technological component is an algorithm for the controlled mixing of distillate with the initial hyperhaline water in a ratio of 4:1 to 6:1. This process achieves a final product mineralization of 2.5–4.0 g/L, preserving essential biogenic ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) within physiologically admissible concentrations and eliminating the need for chemical demineralization. The proposed technology is characterized by energy autonomy, mobility, and low operational costs, ensuring adaptability to nomadic and seasonal pastoral farming. Implementation of this unit contributes to reducing anthropogenic pressure on oasis water sources, preventing pasture degradation, and strengthening the resilience of rural communities in arid territories.