Design and Thermal Performance Evaluation Framework for Collector Cavity Materials in Solar Parabolic Trough Water Distillation

Access to clean drinking water remains limited in many developing and rural areas due to the high cost and poor sustainability of conventional purification methods.Solar water distillation using solar thermal concentrators offers a clean and cost-effective alternative.This study presents the design and thermal performance evaluation of a locally fabricated Solar Parabolic Trough Concentrator (SPTC) water distillation system, with particular emphasis on the effect of collector cavity materials on efficiency.The system consists of a parabolic reflector, receiver tube, steam collection unit, heat exchanger, and a solar-powered circulation mechanism.Copper, aluminum, and stainless steel are examined based on their thermal conductivity, durability, corrosion resistance, and suitability for local fabrication.A detailed experimental framework is proposed to compare thermal performance, steam generation, and distillation efficiency under identical operating conditions.The study aims to identify the most efficient and economical collector cavity material to improve solar water distillation performance.The results are expected to contribute to the development of affordable and sustainable solar water purification technologies, supporting improved access to clean drinking water in resource-constrained communities.