The objective of this work is to model and optimize the operation of a combined air
conditioning unit and solar distiller still to enhance distillate output and system performance to
meet a specified cooling load and fresh water needs of a residential application. Simulation
models have been developed for the solar distiller and cooling coil of the combined system. The
developed models were experimentally validated. The combined distiller and cooling coil model
predicted well the condensate volume over half hour intervals with less than 5%. A
computationally efficient optimization tool of the combined system operation is developed using
statistical correlations for solar still performance parameters based on data generated by the
validated simulation model.
The optimization problem of the combined solar distiller and air conditioning system
operation is solved for a residential application of peak cooling load of 5.4 kW with distilled
water demand of 100 liters per day over 10 hours of combined system operation. It is found that
the optimal operation total energy consumption varied between 21.34 to 23.80 kWh/day. The
fresh water energy cost ranged between 0.11 to 0.12 kWh/liter over the cooling season and is
found lower than the cost of standalone water production from atmosphere machines.