Ph.D. Dissertation Defense at the Technical Engineering College of Najaf, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University.

The Grand Discussion Hall at the Technical Engineering College of Najaf, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, hosted the Ph.D. dissertation defense of researcher Montadhar Mohammed Ali Saeed, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Hassanein Ghani Hameed and Prof. Dr. Asaad Awad from the Department of Power Mechanics Engineering Technologies.

The dissertation, titled:
“Numerical and Experimental Study of a New Design for Solar Still with Different Performance Enhancement Techniques”,
focused on the design and evaluation of several innovative single-slope solar still models, aiming to select the optimal design for practical implementation, using advanced techniques to enhance heat transfer and vapor condensation.

The study concluded that the semi-elliptical solar still model was the most effective, as it reduced vortex layer thickness, increased distribution, and improved heat dispersion inside the vapor chamber. This led to a 54% increase in productivity compared to the traditional model.

Moreover, the integration of enhancement techniques—such as an internal reflector, preheating unit, graphite powder, zeolite powder, and Thassos marble—into the semi-elliptical design resulted in a remarkable 270.1% increase in output, a 260.1% improvement in efficiency, and a 71.33% reduction in the cost per liter of desalinated water. It also achieved a 263.3% reduction in CO₂ emissions over the system’s operational lifetime.

The researcher supported the dissertation with comprehensive energy, exergy, economic feasibility, and environmental analyses, along with physical and chemical assessments of the produced water.

Notably, the findings of this dissertation were published in six prestigious international scientific journals indexed in Clarivate and Scopus, reflecting the significant scientific and practical impact of this research in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability.