Performance evaluation of hybrid solar chimneys for fresh water production

Abstract

The hybrid solar chimneys power plant can produce electric energy and fresh water simultaneously. The purpose of this research is to numerically analyze the hybrid solar power plant, using heat transfer mathematical models. In this study, performance of two different cases for power generation is investigated. First, combination of solar chimney and humidifier is investigated, and second, combination of the solar chimney, humidifier, and a condenser is investigated. The effect of solar radiation and water temperature used in the humidifier on the produced electric power and fresh water is investigated. Obtained results of the first case show that adding moisture in the collector entry, it can decrease air weight as much as the radiation of the sun. According to the results obtained, in the integrating solar chimney with the humidifier, generated power increases by higher solar radiation in all three modes, although the increased power of the first case with spraying water of 40, 20, and 10°C is almost 4 times, 2.7 times, and 1.3 times higher in comparison with the classical solar chimney. It is found for the second case that, for increased solar radiation in the above three cases, the humidifier output air temperature increases and the amount of produced water and relative humidity at the output of the humidifier decreases.

Increasing freshwater supply to sustainably address global water security at scale

“…This proposed concept could be used as a substitute or to supplement the year-round freshwater production in areas with access to coastal water bodies or transported to distant inland locations, thereby assisting in alleviating water scarcity while also maintaining ecosystems and the environment. We note that the proposed concept of utilizing atmospheric humidity for potable water production is notably different from previous articulations which include water production over land by radiative cooling [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] , active cooling by vapor compression refrigeration cycle [39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48] or thermoelectric cooling [49][50][51][52][53] and desiccant method 40,[54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65] . These alternate solutions are not scalable to address water scarcity concern in a significant way because the amount of moisture flux available in the atmosphere over land is substantially smaller than over the large oceanic sources.…”

Review of Hybrid Photovoltaic- Air Updraft Solar Application: Present and Proposed state Models

“…In theory, increasing the size of a device would lead to an increase in output power and LCOE. In addition to other studies, Hybrid Solar Chimney studies dealt with [73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83] of them, while are listed Table 4 summarizes and compares a set of studies and results from 2018 to 2021 for Hybrid Solar Chimney PV.…”

Examining performance and optimization of a cogeneration system comprised with allam cycle and MED-TVC for generating power and drinking water: Case study: Kish island

“…In accordance with the results, in the first system, power generation increased, although, in some temperatures (40C, 20C, 10 C), the consumed energy for producing fresh water raised. In the second system, the amount of water produced and humidity output decreased with an increase in solar radiation [17]. Tamburini et al, combined heat and power retrofit (CHPR) and MED-TVC in a commercial-scale plant with a daily output of 36,000 cubic meters.…”