A Study on the Prediction of the Optimum Performance of a Small-Scale Desalination System Using Solar Heat Energy

Abstract

Abstract:Although water is an essential element for the survival of all humankind, there are, however, still areas where water is not sufficiently supplied. It is a reality today that supplying energy for producing clean water is also difficult in such areas. This study develops a fresh water generator using solar heat, which is a clean energy source, and a small-scale desalination system which can be configured in parallel so that it can cope with various changes in the water supply situation. In addition, this study has developed a simulation program capable of estimating the optimum installation angle of a solar collector in such a way as to be suitable for the period of water demand, as well as the environment of the installation area, by allowing for the fact that it is difficult to change the installation angle or conditions after the installation of a fixed solar collector. In order to carry out these issues, this study has set up the experimental apparatus of a small-scale desalination system and obtained data on the amounts of fresh water generation depending on solar heat storage temperatures through empirical experiments. By applying the data in the simulation program, this study proposed the optimum installation angle for the necessary conditions.

Experimental Study and Performance Analysis of a Portable Atmospheric Water Generator

“…Great efforts have been made to solve the afore-mentioned problems. Figure 1 summarizes several water generating methods [4][5][6][7]. Among such available ways, extracted water from atmospheric vapor is an alternate potential solution to relieve water resource shortages.…”

“…During past decades, thermoelectric cooling (TEC) technology has drawn great attention around the world, using the Peltier effect to create a heat flux between the junctions of two different types of materials. A typical TEC device has two sides, and when a DC electric current flows through the device, it brings heat from one side to the other so that one side gets cooler (cold side) while the Figure 1 summarizes several water generating methods [4][5][6][7]. Among such available ways, extracted water from atmospheric vapor is an alternate potential solution to relieve water resource shortages.…”

Analysis of the Optimum Solar Collector Installation Angle from the Viewpoint of Energy Use Patterns

“…A simulation program that uses the energy equation was modified to fit the storage system of the program and the algorithm that was developed in a previous study [27].…”

“…Also, the capacity of the heat storage tank with the most available energy was considered. In this study, a program that simulates the use of solar heat to produce freshwater in a seawater desalination system was modified to simulate the solar hot water system [27]. Since the verification of the code that simulates solar heat collection was covered in previous research, this study presents a simplified review of code reliability.…”

Thermal Effects

“…For reducing the specific energy consumption of desalination process, the passive vacuum pipe based on the hydrostatic head was applied(Choi, 2017). The freshwater productivity exceeded 7% of the supply seawater when the height of a vacuum cube was 9.8 m and the water temperature was heated to 80 °C, which was very high compared with conventional thermal type desalination process Jun et al (2017). developed a freshwater generator using solar thermal energy and adopted a small-scale Water Environment Research, Volume 90, Number 10 -Copyright © 2018 Water Environment Federation desalination system that can be configured in parallel to cope with changes in water supply conditions.Reduction and recovery of heavy metalsAlthough trace heavy metal elements are vital to a normal and healthy life of organisms, excessive heavy metal pollution in the environment may cause serious damage.…”