Optimization and numerical study of the effect of using nanodiamond and nickel nanoparticles in solar desalination using two-phase mixture method and VOF

Abstract

The finite element approach is used in this research to simulate a single-slope desalination (DLN) system in 2D. Hybrid composite of nanodiamond and nickel nanoparticles are added into the chamber of the DLN system, and the two-phase mixture model is used for simulation. This transient study is conducted in a 12 h time interval from 8 am to 8 pm, and the heat transfer coefficient (HTCT), humidity in the DLN system, mean temperature (TMN) of the system, and vapor circulation contours in the system are examined by altering the glass angle (GAL), wall height (WHT), and ambient temperature (TAMB) for the DLN system. Finally, artificial intelligence is used to determine the DLN system's TMN for different variables. Results of this study show that between the 8th and 9th h of the system operation, the DLN system's TMN and HTCT reach their maximum values. Increasing the GAL and chamber height decrease the HTCT. The maximum HTCT occurs for the TAMB of 10 °C, and this coefficient decreases by increasing the TAMB. Also, the maximum humidity inside the system is related to the TAMB of 10 °C, and increasing the TAMB decreases the humidity level extremely.