Experimental and simulation studies on two stage humidification–dehumidification desalination and cooling plant

Abstract

Humidification–dehumidification (HDH) desalination is a simple and cost effective solution to convert the saline water into desalinated water. In current work, desalination yield has been augmented with two stage HDH integrated cooling plant. A pilot plant has been developed and analyzed with experimental and simulation studies. The identified operational variants are hot saline water supply to humidifiers and its inlet temperature. The saline water is heated in a solar water heater (SWH) and supplied to two humidifiers and two air preheaters. The simulated results developed for subsystems are validated with the experimental readings. Desalination yield is not satisfactory level at lower water temperature in the first stage plant but there is no such limitation in the second stage operation. Nearly 1.5 LPH of desalinated water is resulted at 15m3/h of air. The energy utilization factor (EUF) of two stage plant is concentrated at higher side compared to the single stage plant's EUF. The increased flow of saline water in humidifiers and its high temperature is favoring the desalination output but with a penalty in cooling effect.