Experimental study of ultrasonic atomizer effect on improving the performance of single slope solar still using Fog harvesting technology

New technologies such as ultrasonic systems and water extraction from fog using metal nets can improve the performance of solar still desalination systems. Experimental results of the current study show that the use of ultrasonic cold vapor generator module and using fog-harvesting technology by metal mesh are effective in increasing the rate of surface evaporation of saline water, dropwise condensation, and freshwater production in the solar still desalination system. Based on the performance evaluation of the improved system by ultrasonic unit and metal mesh, it was found that with increasing ambient temperature and solar radiation intensity, the atomized droplets evaporate quickly with ultrasonic waves and have a remarkable performance. The results show that the evaporative heat transfer coefficient of saline water increases by 22.90% and the energy efficiency and internal exergy increase by 56.21% and 29.14%, respectively. The modifications also increase the production of fresh water in the improved system with ultrasonic and metal net up to 18.75% compared to the base system.