Theoretical analysis of an improved adsorption desalination system under different operating conditions

Abstract

This paper presents the development of an advanced adsorption desalination system (ADS) with heat and mass recovery. By means of internal heat and mass recovery, this adsorption desalination system (ADS), offers a significantly higher performance ratio compared to the conventional systems. After vapor desorption, the pressure difference in the hot bed is first transmitted to the cold bed using mass recovery. Then, the heat from the hot bed is transferred into the cold bed and, eventually, to the condenser and evaporator, by means of the cold water. Numerical simulations for this system are compared to a verified experimental model, and then developed to study the effect of the operating parameters. The level of SDWP or specific daily water production for this ADS was found to be 13.48 m^3/ton of silica gel/day at a hot water temperature of 92.5 (°C) and a cold water temperature of 30 (°C). Consequently, in these operating conditions, the SDWP of the advanced ADS was found to be 153% more than the conventional ADS. Also, at the same temperature conditions, the performance ratio of the ADS with heat and mass recovery was 35% higher than the ADS without heat and mass recovery.