Dhivagar, RamasamyShoeibi, ShahinKargarsharifabad, HadiAhmadi, Mohammad HosseinSharifpur, Mohsen2023-03-282023-03-282022-08Dhivagar, R., Shoeibi, S., Kargarsharifabad, H., Ahmadi, M.H. & Sharifpur, M. Performance enhancement of a solar still using magnetic powder as an energy storage medium‐ exergy and environmental analysis. Energy Science and Engineering 2022; 10(8): 3154‐3166. doi:10.1002/ese3.1210.2050-0505 (online)10.1002/ese3.1210http://hdl.handle.net/2263/90245The use of different energy storage materials can have a high effect on the water productivity of solar desalination. This study evaluates the impact of magnetic powders on modified solar still (MPSS) performance and compares the results with conventional solar still (CSS). Black iron oxide magnetic powder was selected to increase solar radiation absorption. The black iron magnetic powder simultaneously acts as a thermal storage material and a porous absorber medium. The thermal energy stored in the magnetic powder improved the performance of the MPSS during peak solar irradiation hours, resulting in higher productivity. The results showed that the thermal performance of MPSS was higher than CSS. The MPSS exhibited a 39.8% higher evaporative and 14.5% higher convective heat transfer rate compared with CSS. Results showed that the cumulative water productivity of MPSS was 31.2% greater than CSS. Also, the energy and exergy efficiencies of MPSS were improved by 18.9% and 19.04%, respectively, compared with CSS. Moreover, the predicted payback period in MPSS and CSS were 3.2 and 4.3 months. Additionally, the CO2 reduction of MPSS was improved by approximately 45.53% compared with that of CSS. The results also showed that the exergoeconomic parameter of MPSS and CSS with energy base was equal to 33.1 and 24.56 kWh/$, respectively.en© 2022 The Authors. Energy Science & Engineering published by the Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.Magnetic powders on modified solar still (MPSS)Conventional solar still (CSS)EconomicEnergyExergyMagnetic iron oxideSolar stillEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-06SDG-06: Clean water and sanitationEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-07SDG-07: Affordable and clean energyEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-09SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructureEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-12SDG-12: Responsible consumption and productionEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-13SDG-13: Climate actionArticle