Patent ID: 8088257

Claim:
A solar distillation system, comprising: an elongated solar still having a first end, a second end and extending along a longitudinal axis between the first and second ends; wherein the solar still includes a plurality of frame supports positioned along the longitudinal axis and a light-transmitting canopy supported on the frame supports extending along the longitudinal axis of the solar still and covering the first and second ends; wherein the solar still includes an elongate heating surface having opposite first and second ends, wherein the heating surface extends substantially the length of the solar still and is enclosed within the canopy, wherein the first end of the heating surface is positioned adjacent the first end of the solar still and the second end of the heating surface is positioned adjacent the second end of the solar still; wherein the solar still includes at least one tubular member having first and second ends and extending substantially the length of the solar still, wherein the tubular member is enclosed within the canopy and is spaced above the heating surface, wherein the second end of the tubular member is positioned adjacent the second end of the solar still; wherein the solar still includes at least one collection trough having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is positioned adjacent the first end of the solar still and the second end is positioned adjacent the second end of the solar still, wherein the collection trough is positioned below and aligned with the tubular member to receive condensed water dripping from the tubular member; and wherein the solar still includes a liquid distributor positioned adjacent the second end of the heating surface, wherein the liquid distributor is for distributing water received from the second end of the tubular member substantially across the width of the heating surface.