Solar absorption system for water desalination

Abstract

There is growing international concern about pollution caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and emissions of oxides of carbon, sulphur and nitrogen from fossil fuel sources. This has stimulated research to develop “environmentally-friendly” systems powered by renewable energies. This paper examines the application of a novel absorption system for water desalination. The absorption system could be powered by a renewable energy source (e.g. solar energy) or by a hybrid method (e.g. solar energy and natural gas). The absorption system offers several attractive features, including a high performance ratio, no pre-treatment required, extraction of water at low temperatures, absence of scaling, and minimal corrosion. Water is used as the working fluid and so the system is attractive on environmental grounds. The paper describes computer modelling of the system and its potential applications.