Recent Review of Cord‐Wick Solar Stills for Water Purification

This study explores recent advances in cord‐based wick systems that regulate water depth in distillers, a key parameter influencing desalination performance. Maintaining a shallow water layer generally improves output, and cord wick technology minimizes thermal losses by selectively absorbing only the saline water that evaporates. Several design modifications—including reflectors, air‐circulation fans, and baffles integrated with phase change materials (PCMs)—have substantially increased the efficacy of cord‐wick distillers. For instance, a configuration combining cords, mirrors, a fan, and baffles achieved a 264% rise in freshwater yield. Beyond productivity gains, these improvements also provide ecological benefits, including an estimated annual reduction of approximately 28.71 tons of CO 2 emissions, as well as water purification costs ranging from USD 0.01 to 0.0185 per liter. These findings support continued efforts to maximize desalination efficiency through cord wick‐based approaches in solar distillation systems. Our work demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.