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Enhanced Humidification–Dehumidification (HDH) Systems for Sustainable Water Desalination

Author

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  • Mauro Luberti

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK)

  • Mauro Capocelli

    (Research Unit of Process Engineering, Department of Science & Technology for Sustainable Development & One Health, University Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Water scarcity is a pressing global issue driving the need for efficient and sustainable water reuse and desalination technologies. In the last two decades, humidification–dehumidification (HDH) has emerged as a promising method for small-scale and decentralized systems. This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent scientific literature highlighting key advancements, challenges, and potential future directions of HDH research. Because the HDH process suffers from low heat and mass transfer, as well as thermodynamic limitations due to the mild operating conditions, this work indicates three main strategies for HDH enhancement: (1) Advanced Heat and Mass Transfer Techniques, (2) Integration with Other Technologies, and (3) Optimization of System Operative Conditions. Particularly for advanced HDH systems, the reference GOR values exceed 3, and certain studies have demonstrated the potential to achieve even higher values, approaching 10. In terms of recovery ratio, there appear to be no significant process constraints, as recycling the brine prepared in innovative schemes can surpass values of 50%. Considering electricity costs, the reference range falls between 1 and 3 kWh m –3 . Notably, multi-stage processes and system couplings can lead to increased pressure drops and, consequently, higher electricity costs. Although consistent data are lacking, a baseline SEC reference value is approximately 360 kJ kg –1 , corresponding to 100 kWh m –3 . For comparable SEC data, it is advisable to incorporate both thermal and electric inputs, using a reference power plant efficiency of 0.4 in converting thermal duty to electrical power. When considering the utilization of low-temperature solar and waste heat, the proposed exergy-based comparison of the process is vital; this perspective reveals that a low-carbon HDH desalination domain, with II-law efficiencies surpassing 0.10, can be achieved.

Suggested Citation

  • Mauro Luberti & Mauro Capocelli, 2023. "Enhanced Humidification–Dehumidification (HDH) Systems for Sustainable Water Desalination," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-28, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:17:p:6352-:d:1231433
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Narayan, G. Prakash & McGovern, Ronan K. & Zubair, Syed M. & Lienhard, John H., 2012. "High-temperature-steam-driven, varied-pressure, humidification-dehumidification system coupled with reverse osmosis for energy-efficient seawater desalination," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 482-493.
    2. Tariq, Rasikh & Sheikh, Nadeem Ahmed & Xamán, J. & Bassam, A., 2018. "An innovative air saturator for humidification-dehumidification desalination application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 789-807.
    3. McGovern, Ronan K. & Thiel, Gregory P. & Prakash Narayan, G. & Zubair, Syed M. & Lienhard, John H., 2013. "Performance limits of zero and single extraction humidification-dehumidification desalination systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 1081-1090.
    4. Clément Lacroix & Maxime Perier-Muzet & Driss Stitou, 2019. "Dynamic Modeling and Preliminary Performance Analysis of a New Solar Thermal Reverse Osmosis Desalination Process," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-32, October.
    5. Abedi, Mahyar & Tan, Xu & Klausner, James F. & Bénard, Andre, 2023. "Solar desalination chimneys: Investigation on the feasibility of integrating solar chimneys with humidification–dehumidification systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 88-102.
    6. Omais Abdur Rehman & Valeria Palomba & Andrea Frazzica & Luisa F. Cabeza, 2021. "Enabling Technologies for Sector Coupling: A Review on the Role of Heat Pumps and Thermal Energy Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-30, December.
    7. Luberti, Mauro & Gowans, Robert & Finn, Patrick & Santori, Giulio, 2022. "An estimate of the ultralow waste heat available in the European Union," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PC).
    8. Byrne, Paul & Fournaison, Laurence & Delahaye, Anthony & Ait Oumeziane, Yacine & Serres, Laurent & Loulergue, Patrick & Szymczyk, Anthony & Mugnier, Daniel & Malaval, Jean-Luc & Bourdais, Romain & Gue, 2015. "A review on the coupling of cooling, desalination and solar photovoltaic systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 703-717.
    9. Al-Sulaiman, Fahad A. & Prakash Narayan, G. & Lienhard, John H., 2013. "Exergy analysis of a high-temperature-steam-driven, varied-pressure, humidification–dehumidification system coupled with reverse osmosis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 552-561.
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