Performance of a greenhouse cum solar still for the climatic condition of Port Moresby

Thermal modelling, based on heat and mass transfer relations, of a greenhouse integrated with a solar still has been discussed in detail. The effect of the system (viz. heat capacity of plants/pot mixture, water mass, and orientation, etc.) as well as climatic parameters (solar insolation, ambient air temperature and ventilation due to wind, etc.) have been incorporated in the energy balance for various components of the system in order to validate the theoretical results. An experiment was carried out for a typical greenhouse in Port Moresby. The following observations were made: (i) there is a reasonable agreement between theoretical and experimental results, and (ii) the amount of distilled water obtained is sufficient to grow the plants inside the greenhouse.