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Numerical and Experimental Performance Evaluation of a Photovoltaic Thermal Integrated Membrane Desalination System

Author

Listed:
  • Sajid Ali

    (Mechanical and Energy Engineering Department, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia)

  • Fahad Al-Amri

    (Mechanical and Energy Engineering Department, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia)

  • Farooq Saeed

    (Mechanical and Energy Engineering Department, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Membrane desalination (MD) is preferred over other desalination techniques since it requires a lower temperature gradient. Its performance can be further enhanced by preheating the intake of saline water. In this context, a novel solar-assisted air gap membrane desalination (AGMD) system was hypothesized. The motivation was derived from the fact that the use of solar energy to provide power and a pre-heating source for the intake of saline water can offer a sustainable alternative that can further enhance the acceptance of MD systems. Since solar panels suffer from a loss of efficiency as they heat up during operation, a solar-assisted air gap membrane desalination (AGMD) system can help to improve the overall system performance by (1) providing the necessary pumping power to operate the system and (2) improving solar panel performance by exchanging heat using water that is (3) used to pre-heat the saline water necessary for increased performance of the AGMD system. To verify the hypothesis, a solar-assisted AGMD system for freshwater production was theoretically designed, fabricated locally, and then tested experimentally. The effect of the process operating parameters and the ambient conditions on the overall performance of the proposed solar-assisted AGMD desalination unit is presented in detail, both theoretically and experimentally. The results indicated a direct correlation between the permeate flux, saline hot feed temperature, and hot feed flow rate. In addition, an inverse relationship between the cold feed temperature, cold feed flow rate, and the air gap thickness of the module was also observed and reported, thus, validating the hypothesis that a solar-assisted air gap membrane desalination (AGMD) system can help to boost performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Sajid Ali & Fahad Al-Amri & Farooq Saeed, 2022. "Numerical and Experimental Performance Evaluation of a Photovoltaic Thermal Integrated Membrane Desalination System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:19:p:7417-:d:937553
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gude, Veera Gnaneswar & Nirmalakhandan, Nagamany & Deng, Shuguang, 2010. "Renewable and sustainable approaches for desalination," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(9), pages 2641-2654, December.
    2. Nutakki Tirumala Uday Kumar & Andrew R. Martin, 2017. "Co-Production Performance Evaluation of a Novel Solar Combi System for Simultaneous Pure Water and Hot Water Supply in Urban Households of UAE," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-22, April.
    3. Mark A. Shannon & Paul W. Bohn & Menachem Elimelech & John G. Georgiadis & Benito J. Mariñas & Anne M. Mayes, 2008. "Science and technology for water purification in the coming decades," Nature, Nature, vol. 452(7185), pages 301-310, March.
    4. Chang, Hsuan & Wang, Gow-Bin & Chen, Yih-Hang & Li, Chien-Chang & Chang, Cheng-Liang, 2010. "Modeling and optimization of a solar driven membrane distillation desalination system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 2714-2722.
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