Investigation of augmentation of funnel integrated with wick material on yield of square pyramid solar still: A summertime experimental study Shirish K. Patel, Kalpesh V. Modi Journal of Cleaner Production, 2025 An attempt has been made to improve the productivity of square pyramid solar still by utilizing novel augmented technique – funnel integrated with wick material. The funnels were attached to basin, and one end of wick material was spread over the upper portion surface of funnel, while other end was dipped into saline water in basin. At 1, 2, and 3 cm water depth, impact of wick materials (black colour painted jute cloth, black melton wool, and black cotton cloth) and inclination angles (15 o , 20 o , and 25 o ) of upper portion of funnel surface was investigated. The three sets of experiments for three days in a row were carried out on four alike square pyramid solar stills under the weather conditions of (20.61° N, 72.91° E) to identify the combination of inclination angle of funnel upper portion surface and wick material for the maximum productivity from the solar still in summer season. For the square pyramid solar still, the best augmentation combination for maximum productivity was found to be black cotton cloth integrated with 25 o inclination angle of funnel upper portion surface at 3 cm water depth. The utmost productivity of 3.9433 L/m 2 and efficiency of 43.84 % were attained at 3 cm water depth for the best augmentation combination, indicating 11.88 % and 9.14 % improvement in productivity and efficiency. The distillate water cost of 3.63 ₹/L with payback duration of 13 months and 8 days was obtained for maximum productivity augmentation combination.
Experimental study of wick materials and funnel surface inclination angle on square pyramid solar still in the winter season Shirish K. Patel, Kalpesh V. Modi International Journal of Ambient Energy, 2025 The lower productivity of square pyramid solar still is the prime impediment to its worldwide applicability. An attempt has been made to improve the productivity of square pyramid solar still utilising the novel augmented technique – funnel integrated with wick material. The funnels were attached to the basin of the solar still, and one end of the wick material was spread over the upper portion surface of the funnel, while the other end was dipped into saline water in the basin. At 1, 2 and 3 cm water depth, the impact of wick materials (black colour-painted jute cloth, black melton wool and black cotton cloth) and upper portion surface inclination angles of the funnel (15°, 20° and 25°) was investigated. For each case, three sets of experiments were carried out for three days in a row with four alike square pyramid solar stills under the weather conditions of (20.61° N and 72.91° E) in the winter season. The maximum productivity was achieved: 2.1432 L/m2 at 3 cm and 2.5368 L/m2 at 1 cm for still with funnel surface inclination angle of 25° for black cotton cloth and black melton wool and 2.8032 L/m2 at 1 cm for still without funnels for black colour-painted jute cloth.
An experimental study on a curved solar flexible photovoltaic panel with a single-axis tracking system in perspectives of automobile applications Hemantchandra Patel, Kalpesh Modi, Rohan Patel, Rita Patel International Journal of Ambient Energy, 2025 The crisis of fossil fuel and progress in automotive technology, it is necessary to quest for alternative to fossil fuel for automobiles. Utilising solar photovoltaic (PV) panel in automobiles for power generation is efficient means to convert solar energy into electrical energy. A flat solar PV panel on car roof raises the drag force and reduces performance of vehicle, which can be overcome by using solar flexible photovoltaic (FPV) panels. The prime aim of study is to investigate the performance of curved solar FPV panel at various curve angles and flat solar FPV panel. The experiments were conducted for flat and curved solar FPV panels with single-axis tracking mechanism. With increase in solar radiation intensity, increase in power generated and efficiency of flat and curved solar FPV panels was observed. With an increase in curve angle, reduction in percentage of power generated and efficiency of curved solar FPV was observed than flat solar FPV panel. The power generated and efficiency of curved solar FPV panel at lower curve angle, α=6∘ was observed nearly equal to that of flat solar FPV panel. The lower curve angle curved solar FPV panel installation on car roof provides an aerodynamic shape and able to reduce drag force.Highlights Comparative study of curved and flat solar FPV panels conducted.Effect of curve angles was studied on the performance of curved solar FPV panels.Reduction in power generated from curved solar FPV panel with an increase in curve angle.Reduction in the efficiency of curved solar FPV panel with an increase in curve angle.Equal performance of flat and curved solar FPV panels was found at low curve angle.
Impact of the number of funnels integrated with wick materials on the performance of square pyramid solar still KV Modi, SK Patel International Journal of Ambient Energy 46 (1), 2573207 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Experimental study of wick materials and funnel surface inclination angle on square pyramid solar still in the winter season SK Patel, KV Modi International Journal of Ambient Energy 46 (1), 2471401 , 2025 2025 Citations: 4
An experimental study on a curved solar flexible photovoltaic panel with a single-axis tracking system in perspectives of automobile applications H Patel, K Modi, R Patel, R Patel International Journal of Ambient Energy 46 (1), 2444353 , 2025 2025
Impact of distinct input variables on the performance indices of components of liquid desiccant-assisted forced convection indirect type solar drying system—a critical review AR Patel, KV Modi Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-79 , 2025 2025
Investigation of augmentation of funnel integrated with wick material on yield of square pyramid solar still: A summertime experimental study SK Patel, KV Modi Journal of Cleaner Production 507, 145539 , 2025 2025 Citations: 11
Experimental study of mono and hybrid nanofluids on square pyramid solar still PR Patel, KV Modi, SK Patel Environmental Science and Pollution Research 32 (2), 693-724 , 2025 2025 Citations: 9
Bluetooth Operated Four Directional Air Cooler RPP P. P. Shah, K. V. Modi, S. S. Mansuri, A. V. Ahir, K. D. Bhatt IN Patent App. 202,421,011,729 , 2024 2024
System for Household Gas Leakage Protection and Method Thereof KVM M. D. Chauhan, M. C. Soni, A. R. Lonkar, S. V. Baria, K. J. Dalal IN Patent App. 202,421,009,034 , 2024 2024
Impact of modification in the geometry of absorber plate on the productivity of solar Still - A review KV Modi, SK Patel, AM Patel Solar Energy 264, 112009 , 2023 2023 Citations: 29
Comparative experimental analysis of potato slice drying using a multiple phase change material cascaded modified indirect solar dryer and conventional indirect solar dryer JM Panchal, KV Modi, SB Chaudhary, PB Jadeja, VJ Patel Journal of Energy Storage 67, 107644 , 2023 2023 Citations: 24
Effectiveness of thermal energy storage material and forced convection on the regeneration of liquid desiccant using hybrid solar still-An experimental study K Modi, I Pandey Journal of Energy Storage 66, 107488 , 2023 2023 Citations: 14
Solar Still Augmented by Pyramidal and Semi-Elliptical Shaped Hollow and Solid Absorber Plates with and without Frustum AM Patel, SK Patel, JM Panchal, HN Patel, KV Modi IN Patent App. 202,321,033,819 , 2023 2023
Performance assessment of novel solar still regenerated liquid desiccant-based evaporative air-conditioning system for an office in India DL Shukla, KV Modi Energy Conversion and Management 280, 116813 , 2023 2023 Citations: 16
Applicability of mono-nanofluid and hybrid-nanofluid as a technique to improve the performance of solar still: A critical review KV Modi, PR Patel, SK Patel Journal of Cleaner Production 387, 135875 , 2023 2023 Citations: 107
Investigation on performance of square pyramid solar still using nanofluid and thermal energy storage material: An experimental and theoretical study KV Modi, AR Gamit Journal of Cleaner Production 381, 135115 , 2022 2022 Citations: 46
Effectiveness of partially and fully submerged triangular cross-sectional metal hollow-fins and wool cloth wick-fins on triangular pyramid solar still KV Modi, AR Shah Environmental Science and Pollution Research 29 (42), 64040-64059 , 2022 2022 Citations: 21
Influence of distinct input parameters on performance indices of dehumidifier, regenerator and on liquid desiccant-operated evaporative cooling system – A critical review DL Shukla, KV Modi Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 168 (112834) , 2022 2022 Citations: 18
Recent advances in performance enhancement techniques and the perspective of solar energy for automobile air-conditioning system-a critical review HN Patel, KV Modi Solar Energy 241, 184-219 , 2022 2022 Citations: 18
Development in multiple-phase change materials cascaded low-grade thermal energy storage applications: A review JM Panchal, KV Modi, VJ Patel Cleaner Engineering and Technology 8, 100465 , 2022 2022 Citations: 63
Efficacy of partially and fully submerged circular cross-section metal hollow-fins and black cotton cloth wick-segments on a single-basin dual-slope solar still KV Modi, UN Patel, SJ Patel, JN Patel, SR Patel Journal of Cleaner Production 344, 131059 , 2022 2022 Citations: 49
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Pyramid solar still: A comprehensive review KH Nayi, KV Modi Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 81, 136-148 , 2017 2017 Citations: 309
Experimental performance evaluation of single basin dual slope solar still with circular and square cross-sectional hollow fins HK Jani, KV Modi Solar Energy 179, 186 , 2018 2018 Citations: 267
Performance of single-slope double-basin solar stills with small pile of wick materials KV Modi, JG Modi Applied Thermal Engineering 149, 723-730 , 2018 2018 Citations: 188
Efficacy of forced condensation and forced evaporation with thermal energy storage material on square pyramid solar still KV Modi, KH Nayi Renewable Energy 153, 1307-1319 , 2020 2020 Citations: 148
Influence of water mass on the performance of spherical basin solar still integrated with parabolic reflector KV Modi, KH Nayi, SS Sharma Groundwater for Sustainable Development 10, 100299 , 2019 2019 Citations: 138
A review on numerous means of enhancing heat transfer rate in solarthermal based desalination devices HK Jani, KV Modi Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 93, 302-317 , 2018 2018 Citations: 125
Applicability of mono-nanofluid and hybrid-nanofluid as a technique to improve the performance of solar still: A critical review KV Modi, PR Patel, SK Patel Journal of Cleaner Production 387, 135875 , 2023 2023 Citations: 107
Influence of wick pile of jute cloth on distillate yield of double-basin single-slope solar still: Theoretical and experimental study KV Modi, JG Modi Solar Energy 205, 512-530 , 2020 2020 Citations: 107
Techniques to improve the performance of enhanced condensation area solar still: a critical review SK Patel, KV Modi Journal of Cleaner Production 268, 122260 , 2020 2020 Citations: 105
Regeneration of liquid desiccant for solar air-conditioning and desalination using hybrid solar still KV Modi, DL Shukla Energy Conversion and Management 171, 1598-1616 , 2018 2018 Citations: 101
Impact of orientation and water depth on productivity of single-basin dual-slope solar still with Al 2 O 3 and CuO nanoparticles: K. V. Modi et al. KV Modi, HK Jani, ID Gamit Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry 143 (2), 899-913 , 2021 2021 Citations: 92
A technical review on regeneration of liquid desiccant using solar energy DL Shukla, KV Modi Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 78, 517-529 , 2017 2017 Citations: 88
A Comparative Performance Study of Double Basin Single Slope Solar Still With and Without Using Nanoparticles KV Modi, DL Shukla, DB Ankoliya Journal of Solar Energy Engineering 141 (3), 031008 , 2019 2019 Citations: 78
Development in multiple-phase change materials cascaded low-grade thermal energy storage applications: A review JM Panchal, KV Modi, VJ Patel Cleaner Engineering and Technology 8, 100465 , 2022 2022 Citations: 63
Experimental and theoretical assessment of dual-slope single-basin solar still with the circular cross-sectional hollow-fins KV Modi, HK Jani Cleaner Engineering and Technology , 2021 2021 Citations: 53
Effect of cost‑free energy storage material and saline water depth on the performance of square pyramid solar still: a mathematical and experimental study KH Nayi, KV Modi Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry , 2020 2020 Citations: 51
Hybrid solar still - Liquid desiccant regenerator and water distillation system DL Shukla, KV Modi Solar Energy 182, 117-133 , 2019 2019 Citations: 51
Efficacy of partially and fully submerged circular cross-section metal hollow-fins and black cotton cloth wick-segments on a single-basin dual-slope solar still KV Modi, UN Patel, SJ Patel, JN Patel, SR Patel Journal of Cleaner Production 344, 131059 , 2022 2022 Citations: 49
Investigation on performance of square pyramid solar still using nanofluid and thermal energy storage material: An experimental and theoretical study KV Modi, AR Gamit Journal of Cleaner Production 381, 135115 , 2022 2022 Citations: 46
An experimental investigation of the effectiveness of partially and fully submerged metal hollow-fins and jute cloth wick-fins on the performance of a dual-basin single-slope … KV Modi, SR Maurya, JH Parmar, AB Kalsariya, PB Panasara Cleaner Engineering and Technology 6, 100392 , 2022 2022 Citations: 43
