LAUSR

ABSTRACT In this present paper, the study focuses on the development of a double-effect solar still with evacuated tubes for water desalination considered for small-scale applications at remote locations where only saline water or brackish water is available. In this present paper, the potable water cost per litre has been evaluated. The payback periods for different conditions of the distribution of distilled water, namely at the cost it is produced and at the selling price on market rate, have been evaluated. The cost of water per litre was a minimum of Rs. 0.19 with the average distillate output being about 20 l/day, when the interest rate and the lifetime of the solar still are taken as 4% and 50 years, respectively. The lowest payback time of 45 days was obtained when the selling price of water was Rs. 20 per litre.