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26 Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratory
Fig. 2.32 Components of a glass still
C: condenser; D: distillate; E: electric element.
Fig. 2.33 Components of a solar still
Solar stills (Fig. 2.33)
For laboratories in remote areas and with limited resources, a simple solarpowered
water still can be easily constructed using a clean plastic container with
two compartments (one large and one small) and a large surface area, over which is
placed a glass cover in a sloping position.
The water is poured into the large compartment from which it is evaporated by the
sun. It condenses on the glass cover and drops into the small compartment. The
small compartment has an outlet at the bottom through which the distilled water
can pass into a glass bottle placed underneath the container.