Simulation of Desalination of Salt Water Comprising Polypropylene Hollow Fibre Membranes

Abstract

The problem of desalination systems using advanced hollow fibre (HF) membranes were thoroughly investigated. Humidification air is cooled by heat transfer in the dehumidification chamber, which condenses the water vapour and produces high-quality, fresh drinking water. A mathematical approach was conducted, and a simulation programme (model) was developed for the system. The performance of the HF membranes was assessed using different mass flows of salt water and air to optimise the system's operating performance. An experimental setup was prepared to test the effect of changing the operating parameters on the produced fresh water's flux. The produced flux ranged from 2.36-10.6 kg h -1 m -2 at 40-70 o C, respectively. The comparisons between the simulation results and the experimental setup were in good agreement, and the water quality analysis showed that the obtained values were within the World Health Organization's drinking water guidelines.