Study On Performance Of Fresnel Lens For Thermal Efficiency And Microbial Reduction

Abstract

Solar disinfection (SODIS) is a well-established and well-proven method for producing safer drinking water. The goal of the project is to use Fresnel lenses to improve the solar disinfection process. By creating a quick temperature rise during the solar disinfection process, the Fresnel lens will speed up the rate of disinfection. A set up of Fresnel lens was constructed to carry out the disinfection process.  Solar rays were focused by trial and error method onto the water sample for a fixed period through which thermal efficiency was determined.  Parameters like fluid temperatures and collector area were used to find the thermal efficiency. Pasteurization temperature was found by determining the thermal efficiency. Water disinfection was done by conducting SODIS and Fresnel lens process. Standard plate count test was utilized to find out the bacteria present in the samples collected. The bacterial removal efficiency of Fresnel lens processes were determined and compared with SODIS process. This study provides a method to disinfect water utilizing only solar energy.