Humidification-Dehumidification Desalination System Powered by Simultaneous Air-Water Solar Heater

Abstract

A humidification–dehumidification (HDH) desalination system requires thermal energy to desalt seawater. An environmentally friendly approach to obtain thermal energy is to utilize solar energy using solar collectors. Either seawater or air (or both) are typically preheated by HDH desalination systems before these fluids are conveyed to the humidifier column. Compared with preheating only air or water, preheating both is preferred because improved performance and higher productivity are achieved. Many researchers have proposed dual preheated HDH systems utilizing two separate solar heaters/collectors for simultaneous air–seawater preheating. In this study, dual-fluid preheating is achieved using a single solar collector. The proposed simultaneous air–water solar heater (SAWSH) is a modified flat-plate collector designed for simultaneously preheating air and seawater before the fluids reach the humidifier. A thermodynamic study was conducted using formulated mathematical models based on energy and mass conservation principles. Then, the dual-fluid heating HDH system is compared with HDH systems in which only air or only water is heated. This work found that the former outperformed the latter. The daily and monthly performance levels of the system in terms of the outlet temperatures of air and water, distillate rate, and gain output ratio were calculated using the weather data of the hot and humid climate of Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia.

Experimental Performance Analysis of a Solar Desalination System Modified with Natural Dolomite Powder Integrated Latent Heat Thermal Storage Unit

“…In the last few years, desalination techniques employing solar radiation have been receiving attention from researchers because of their cost-effectiveness and easy application [15][16][17]. Various types of solar desalination systems (SDSs) have been designed and investigated in the past few years [18,19]. Basically, SDSs capture water evaporation from the basin, which condenses on the transparent cover above the system.…”

Future Research Tendencies and Possibilities of Using Cogeneration Applications of Solar Air Heaters: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…A desalination system with humidification and dehumidification (HDH) requires heat to carry out the process of seawater desalination [2]. An effective and environmentally friendly approach to obtain heat energy is the use of solar energy using solar air heaters.…”

“…Keywords presented are selected to better represent the analyzed domain 2. The table colors represent the keyword creation networks shown above in Figure8.…”

“…Top listed country in the analyzed domain 2. The table colors represent the networks of cooperation between countries shown above in Figure10.…”

An Experimental Study to Apply an Absorption Refrigeration Cycle as a Dehumidifier in Humidification-Dehumidification Solar Desalination System

“…In a study conducted by Orfi et al [5], it was concluded that the water output is directly proportional to radiation intensity. Soomro et al [6] showed that higher water output and GOR in their proposed HDH system belonged to the months in which the radiation intensity was greater. Considering the crucial importance of sunlight in the operation of HDH systems, there have been multiple kinds of research regarding the operation of HDH systems in unsuitable climates.…”