A solar driven hybrid photovoltaic module/direct contact membrane distillation system for electricity generation and water desalination

An efficient high-temperature PEMFC/membrane distillation hybrid system for simultaneous production of electricity and freshwater

Hybridizing photovoltaic cell with direct contact membrane distillation for electricity and freshwater cogeneration: Concept and performance evaluation

A combined phosphoric acid fuel cell and direct contact membrane distillation hybrid system for electricity generation and seawater desalination

An alkaline fuel cell/direct contact membrane distillation hybrid system for cogenerating electricity and freshwater

Performance evaluation of a new hybrid system consisting of a photovoltaic module and an absorption heat transformer for electricity production and heat upgrading

A hybrid system consisting of dye-sensitized solar cell and absorption heat transformer for electricity production and heat upgrading

Performance analysis of a concentrated photovoltaic cell-elastocaloric cooler hybrid system for power and cooling cogeneration

Principles and applications of direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD): A comprehensive review

Efficient lithium recovery from simulated brine using a hybrid system: Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) and electrically switched ion exchange (ESIX)

Novel integration of thermoelectric distiller with direct contact membrane distillation

Direct contact membrane distillation with heat recovery: Thermodynamic insights from module scale modeling

This study delves into the realm of water treatment by conducting a comprehensive techno-economic evaluation of direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) and nanofiltration (NF) processes. While previous research has explored the technical aspects of membrane distillation (MD) and nanofiltration, there remains a notable gap in economic analyses. Our research aims to bridge this gap by assessing the financial feasibility of employing MD and NF technologies for water desalination. Specifically, we scrutinize the performance of hydrophobic microporous flat sheet membranes crafted from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) supported by non-woven polypropylene (PP) in desalinating brackish water through DCMD and NF processes. By varying operating conditions such as flow rate and feed temperature, we evaluate the membrane's efficacy. Employing an analytical model based on heat and mass transfer equations, we predict process performance across diverse scenarios. Our model demonstrates a high level of accuracy, with flux predictions deviating by less than 10% when utilizing the Knudsen-molecular mechanism model. Furthermore, through a detailed design and economic analysis of industrial-scale units for both processes, we reveal that the cost of permeated water is lower with NF compared to DCMD. Specifically, our calculations indicate a water cost of 1.34 USD/m3 for DCMD at a feed temperature of 65 °C with an 80% recovery rate, positioning it as a competitive option among conventional desalination methods. Notably, our financial assessment highlights that steam cost constitutes the primary expense in DCMD operations, contingent upon heating value and fuel prices. Noteworthy findings suggest that natural gas emerges as the most cost-effective fuel for steam production in a DCMD plant. This study underscores the economic viability and potential cost efficiencies associated with NF over DCMD in water treatment applications.

Membrane distillation (MD) isan emerging separation technology for desalination, solution concentration and waste water treatment. As a thermal driven device, heat transfer coefficients are critical to theMDperformance. In this study, the transmembrane heat and mass transfers are rigorously accounted for in the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. Flat plate direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) modules with smooth-surface and rough-surface channels as well as in co-flow and counter-flow configurations are analyzed for the desalination application. For different rough-surface channels, flow configurations and operation conditions, the simulated permeation fluxes are fairly close to the experimental results. The local distributions of heat transfer coefficients show very high values at fluid inlets. For the simulated flat plate modules, the local heat transfer coefficients fall between conventional correlations of heat exchangers with circular channels and parallel plates and the module average heat transfer coefficients are much higher than the conventional correlations. This study reveals the values and distribution characteristics of the heat transfer coefficients in DCMD modules, which is important for the design of DCMD modules.

Chapter 10 - Direct Contact Membrane Distillation

Membrane distillation (MD) is a thermally driven separation process. There are four types of MD: direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD), vacuum membrane distillation (VMD), air gap membrane distillation (AGMD) and sweep gas membrane distillation (SGMD). MD process has a number of potential advantages, namely, low operating temperature and hydraulic pressure, very high rejection of nonvolatile solutes, smaller footprint and potentially high water vapor flux for example in DCMD compared to conventional thermal distillation processes. For such reasons, MD has been considered as an emerging new technology in desalination and wastewater treatment. This chapter addresses a variety of applications of MD employing primarily the techniques of DCMD, VMD, and AGMD. State-of-the-art research results in different areas such as, desalination of seawater and brackish water, produced water treatment from oil exploration and coal seam gas production, high temperature DCMD, water treatment in bioreactors and oily wastewaters, treatment of processing streams from dairy, food, beverage industries and animal husbandry, concentration of acids, membrane distillation in biorefineries, mineral recovery and radioactive water treatment, are briefly presented and discussed in this chapter.