Research Article

Thermal and distillation performance of single-slope solar stills incorporating limestone and size-optimized basalt as sensible heat storage materials

Volume: 17 Number: 3 October 18, 2026
TR EN

Thermal and distillation performance of single-slope solar stills incorporating limestone and size-optimized basalt as sensible heat storage materials

Abstract

This study investigates a practical and cost effective way to improve the efficiency of passive-solar stills by using natural stones as heat storage materials. The focus is on the effect of different stone types and sizes on clean water production. In the first-stage, we compared 19 mm basalt and limestone at the base of the still. Basalt performed better than limestone because it could absorb more solar radiation throughout the day due to its dark color and high heat capacity. In the second-stage, the effect of the particle sizes of basalt aggregates (4.75 mm, 12.5 mm, and 19 mm) on efficiency was investigated. Compared to the conventional still (3404 ml/m2), the total daily distilled water yield per 1 m2 base area increased by 32.4% using 19 mm basalt (4508 ml/m2) and by 20.1% using 19 mm limestone (4088 ml/m2), indicating that the 19 mm basalt still produced 10.3% more distilled water than the limestone still. In a conventional still, 48% of the total distilled water is produced at night, while this rate increases to 58.2% in a still with basalt and 55.5% in a limestone still. Specifically, 19 mm basalt produced 11.14% more distilled water daily than the smallest (4.75 mm) basalt stones. At 17:00, the system efficiency for 19 mm basalt reached an impressive 82.89%. Our findings suggest that the superior performance of larger stones (19 mm) may be attributed to the wider inter-particle void spaces they create in the basin, which potentially facilitates better water circulation alongside effective sensible heat storage and release throughout the night. In conclusion, the use of 19 mm basalt stones offers a simple, sustainable, and highly efficient solution for producing clean water in areas where it is most needed.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Energy Generation, Conversion and Storage (Excl. Chemical and Electrical)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 18, 2026

Submission Date

August 21, 2026

Acceptance Date

October 8, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: 3

APA
Kılıçkap Işık, S., & El, E. (2026). Thermal and distillation performance of single-slope solar stills incorporating limestone and size-optimized basalt as sensible heat storage materials. Dicle Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Mühendislik Dergisi, 17(3). https://doi.org/10.24012/dumf.2022956
AMA
1.Kılıçkap Işık S, El E. Thermal and distillation performance of single-slope solar stills incorporating limestone and size-optimized basalt as sensible heat storage materials. DUJE. 2026;17(3). doi:10.24012/dumf.2022956
Chicago
Kılıçkap Işık, Sinem, and Emin El. 2026. “Thermal and Distillation Performance of Single-Slope Solar Stills Incorporating Limestone and Size-Optimized Basalt As Sensible Heat Storage Materials”. Dicle Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Mühendislik Dergisi 17 (3). https://doi.org/10.24012/dumf.2022956.
EndNote
Kılıçkap Işık S, El E (October 1, 2026) Thermal and distillation performance of single-slope solar stills incorporating limestone and size-optimized basalt as sensible heat storage materials. Dicle Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Mühendislik Dergisi 17 3
IEEE
[1]S. Kılıçkap Işık and E. El, “Thermal and distillation performance of single-slope solar stills incorporating limestone and size-optimized basalt as sensible heat storage materials”, DUJE, vol. 17, no. 3, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.24012/dumf.2022956.
ISNAD
Kılıçkap Işık, Sinem - El, Emin. “Thermal and Distillation Performance of Single-Slope Solar Stills Incorporating Limestone and Size-Optimized Basalt As Sensible Heat Storage Materials”. Dicle Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Mühendislik Dergisi 17/3 (October 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.24012/dumf.2022956.
JAMA
1.Kılıçkap Işık S, El E. Thermal and distillation performance of single-slope solar stills incorporating limestone and size-optimized basalt as sensible heat storage materials. DUJE. 2026;17. doi:10.24012/dumf.2022956.
MLA
Kılıçkap Işık, Sinem, and Emin El. “Thermal and Distillation Performance of Single-Slope Solar Stills Incorporating Limestone and Size-Optimized Basalt As Sensible Heat Storage Materials”. Dicle Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Mühendislik Dergisi, vol. 17, no. 3, Oct. 2026, doi:10.24012/dumf.2022956.
Vancouver
1.Sinem Kılıçkap Işık, Emin El. Thermal and distillation performance of single-slope solar stills incorporating limestone and size-optimized basalt as sensible heat storage materials. DUJE. 2026 Oct. 1;17(3). doi:10.24012/dumf.2022956