Design and Experimental Study on a New Closed-Cycle Desalination System Based On Ambient Temperature

Abstract

The use of seawater desalination technology to solve water shortages in energy- and resource-scarce regions has attracted widespread attention worldwide. In this paper, the performance of a closed-cycle humidification–dehumidification desalination system with a heat pump was experimentally investigated. The system is a closed-cycle system, which includes humidifiers, a heat pump, dehumidifiers, and an air heat exchanger. The heat pump is used by the system to carry energy. The effects of different parameters on the system performance were studied. Scale and economic analyses of the system were conducted to explore the application prospects of the system. The maximum gained output ratio of the system was 4.82. The maximum freshwater production was 960 kg/h, and the cost per kilogram of freshwater was USD 0.03, which are more considerable compared with other systems. This system provides an effective way to save energy in remote areas with energy shortages and freshwater resource shortages.

Theoretical Study of a Closed-Cycle Evaporation System for Seawater Desalination

“…The closed-cycle evaporation system presented in this study was established in Hefei, China [22]. The system consists of humidifiers, two dehumidifiers, and a heat pump unit.…”

Experimental Study on a Closed-Cycle Humidification and Dehumidification System for Treating Wastewater Containing High Concentrations of Inorganic Salts and Organic Matter

“…Our previous research used seawater to test the performance of the closed-cycle humidification and dehumidification system and studied the setting parameters under the best working conditions [33].…”

Special Issue “Design, Control and Optimization of Desalination Processes”

“…This Special Issue also encompasses eleven research articles covering the optimal sizing of hybrid solar photovoltaic, fuel cells, hydrogen storage, and reverse osmosis seawater desalination system [4]; design of unconfined dense plunging jets used for brine disposal from desalination plants [5]; mode-based analysis and optimal operation of a multi-stage flash desalination system [6]; simulation analysis and optimization of a coupled reverse osmosis and membrane capacitive deionization plant for seawater desalination [7]; optimal operating parameters of a capacitive deionization desalination system via radial movement optimization [8]; design and thermodynamic analysis of a scraped surface crystallizer plant for freeze desalination [9]; design of a fault detection and isolation control system for industrial seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants based on structural analysis [10]; simulation and economic feasibility evaluation of an ocean thermal energy conversion system for electricity and freshwater production [11]; design and performance investigation of a closed-cycle humidification-dehumidification desalination system [12]; two-dimensional modelling approach and performance assessment of ionexchange membrane in membrane capacitive deionization [13]; and, advanced exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental analyses of a combined cycle power plant integrated with multi-effect distillation and reverse osmosis desalination units [14].…”