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Experimental and Theoretical Study on Mechanical Performance of a Sustainable Method to Simultaneously Generate Power and Fresh Water

Author

Listed:
  • Abhijit Date

    (School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne 3001, Australia)

  • Oranit Traisak

    (School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne 3001, Australia)

  • Matthew Ward

    (School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne 3001, Australia)

  • Eliza Rupakheti

    (School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne 3001, Australia)

  • Eric Hu

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Docklands 3008, Australia)

  • Hamid Khayyam

    (School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne 3001, Australia)

Abstract

Many regions around the world have limited access to clean water and power. Low-grade thermal energy in the form of industrial waste heat or non-concentrating solar thermal energy is an underutilized resource and can be used for water desalination and power generation. This paper experimentally and theoretically examines a thermoelectric-based simultaneous power generation and desalination system that can utilize low-grade thermal energy. The paper presents concept design and the theoretical analysis of the proposed system followed by experimental analysis and comparison with the theoretical estimations. Experiments were carried out at three heat loads 50, 100 and 150 W to achieve varying temperature gradients across thermoelectric generators. During the experiments, thermoelectric generators were maintained at a hot to cold side temperature difference between 20 to 60 °C. The experiments showed that the power generation flux and freshwater mass flux increased with the increase in the thermal energy source temperature. The power flux varied between 12 to 117 W/m 2 of thermoelectric generator area, while freshwater mass flux varied between 4.8 to 23.7 kg/m 2 ⋅h. The specific thermal energy consumption varied between 3.6 to 5.7 MJ/kg of freshwater; this is comparable to the single-stage conventional distillation system.

Suggested Citation

  • Abhijit Date & Oranit Traisak & Matthew Ward & Eliza Rupakheti & Eric Hu & Hamid Khayyam, 2022. "Experimental and Theoretical Study on Mechanical Performance of a Sustainable Method to Simultaneously Generate Power and Fresh Water," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:21:p:14039-:d:955913
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. F. P. Brito & João Silva Peixoto & Jorge Martins & António P. Gonçalves & Loucas Louca & Nikolaos Vlachos & Theodora Kyratsi, 2021. "Analysis and Design of a Silicide-Tetrahedrite Thermoelectric Generator Concept Suitable for Large-Scale Industrial Waste Heat Recovery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-21, September.
    2. Stijepovic, Mirko Z. & Linke, Patrick, 2011. "Optimal waste heat recovery and reuse in industrial zones," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 4019-4031.
    3. Gude, Veera Gnaneswar, 2015. "Energy storage for desalination processes powered by renewable energy and waste heat sources," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 877-898.
    4. Date, Abhijit & Gauci, Luke & Chan, Raymond & Date, Ashwin, 2015. "Performance review of a novel combined thermoelectric power generation and water desalination system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 256-269.
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