Experimental analysis on humidification-dehumidification desalination system using different packing materials with baffle plates

Abstract

The primary objective of the present work is to address the issue of the water scarcity problem facing us globally. This manuscript also attempts to incorporate a Humidification-Dehumidification Desalination Technique (HDHT) using artificial and bio-based packing materials. The thermodynamic analysis of a Humidification-Dehumidification Desalination System (HDHDS) by mathematical and experimental methods is studied in detail. To produce the maximum amount of fresh water, two configurations are developed and analyzed under weather conditions prevailing in South India (INDIA). First, the experiments were carried out with artificial packing material (Polypropylene) with and without baffle plates. Next, the second set of configurations used bio-based packing material (Paddy grass) with and without baffle plates. The present analysis inferred that the volumes of fresh water produced were 0.39, 0.46, and 0.73 kg/h without, and with artificial and bio-based packing materials. The rate of fresh water production increased to 36.30% and 46% for artificial and bio-based materials respectively. There was an increase observed in Gain Output Ratio (GOR) as well in the range of 0.28, 0.40, and 0.65 without, and with artificial, and bio-based packing material. GOR increased up to 30% and 56%, when using artificial and bio-based packing material respectively. The present study reveals that the bio-based packing material is highly advantageous in the production of fresh water and in achieving better GOR.