Experimental Performance of Desalination System Using Solar Concentrator, Nano-fluid, and Preheater Tube Accompanying Phase Change Material

Abstract

Effects of nano-fluid and phase change material (PCM) were investigated experimentally on a desalination system using solar parabolic concentrator. Active distillation system has been performed with and without nano-fluid, PCM, and preheater tube. In absorbent section, PCM was used to study its effect during nighttime. Tests were carried out in different depth of distillation basin. Desalination system was operated for 12 days in sunny with no wind conditions in the city of Andimeshk, Iran, at geographical location of 32.45 N and 48.35 E. Results indicated using nano-fluid and preheater tube will increase the freshwater production and efficiency up to 51% for operating time of 16′30″. Produced freshwater was 6.42 L for 13′15″ and 0.68 L for 3′15″ in daytime and nighttime, respectively. Using nano-fluid indicated 2.1% better performance in the heat absorption process. Although using PCM had negative effect on the heat transfer between the working fluid and the distillation basin, it increased the nighttime production for the low depth basin. In addition, PCM indicated an increase of 9.6% of freshwater production. Cost for producing freshwater was found to be 14.8 US $/m3. According to the findings, uses of nano-fluid as well as preheater tube are promising and there are more advantages in this kind of system.