Theoretical simulation of small scale psychometric solar water desalination system in semi-arid region

Economic study for an affordable small scale solar water desalination system in remote and semi-arid region

At present scarcity of potable and drinking water is a pressing issue in certain parts of the Middle East region. Important advances have been made in desalination technologies but relatively high capital and running costs restrict their wide application even in cases when solar energy is used. Flat-plate solar collectors mainly have been employed in the past to distill water in compact desalination systems. Currently, it is possible to replace the above collectors by more advanced evacuated tube ones, which are available on the market at a similar price. This paper describes results of experimental and theoretical investigations of the operation of a solar still desalination system coupled with a heat pipe evacuated tube collector with the aperture area of about 1.7 m2. A multi-stage solar still water desalination system was designed to recover latent heat from evaporation and condensation processes in four stages. The variation in the solar radiation (insolation) during a typical mid-summer day in the Middle East region was simulated using an array of 110 halogen flood lights covering the area of the solar collector. The synthetic brackish lab water solution was used for experiments and its total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity and pH were measured prior to and after the distillation process. The system’s operation was numerically simulated using a mathematical model based on the system of ordinary differential equations describing mass and energy conservation in each stage of the system. The experimental and theoretical values for the total daily distillate output were found to be in good agreement. The results of tests demonstrate that the system produces about 6.5 kg of clean water per day and have the distillation efficiency equal to 76%. However, the overall efficiency of the laboratory test rig at this stage of investigations was found to be low at the level of 26% and this is due to excessive heat losses in the system. The analysis of the distilled water shows that its quality is within the World Health Organization guidelines. Further research is being performed to improve the performance of the installation.

Chapter 9 - Solar water desalination system

Experimental investigation of performance of cascade solar water desalination system equipped with internal reflector and concave steps

The constant decline of renewable water in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Mediterranean regions qualify these two regions the most water scarce in the world. Water scarcity can be defined as a situation where there is not enough water to meet all local demand. These demands may include water needed for ecosystems, agricultural and domestic use. Water is definitely physically scarce in the MENA and the Mediterranean regions with less than 1000 m3/capita/year and the scarcity is related to domestic water, fresh water for drinking and water for food production. Water scarcity in these regions is a function of both water supply and water demand as both applies in most of the countries. Using the Falkenmark indicator the Mediterranean regions will see increased deterioration in the availability of renewable water and more people will suffer the effects of water shortage. The area will face major constraints in meeting water requirements for agriculture in the coming decades. The severe impacts of the non-availability of renewable water in these regions are cushioned by the development of desalination technology that is at an advanced stage in most of the countries in the region. Water desalination technology provides unlimited and constant supply of high quality water, and reduces the pressure on freshwater ecosystems and groundwater resources. Selection of the appropriate desalination technology, use of renewable energy and a proper method of dealing with high salinity wastewater discharge are very important measures necessary to mitigate the negative impacts of desalination activity, reduce desalination costs and make desalination sustainable and reliable. This work reviews the nature of water scarcity in the Eastern Mediterranean region and advances in solar desalination using the Northern part of Cyprus as a case study.

Water scarcity poses significant challenges in arid regions like the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) due to constant population growth, considering the effects of climate change and water management aspects. The desalination technologies face problems like high energy consumption, high investment costs, and significant environmental impacts by brine discharge. This paper researches the relationships among water scarcity, energy-intensive desalination, and the development of renewable energy in MENA, with a particular focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. It examines innovations in solar-powered desalination, considering both solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal technologies, in combination with traditional thermal desalination methods such as multi-effect distillation (MED) and multi-stage flash (MSF). The environmental impacts associated with desalination by brine discharge are also discussed, analyzing innovative technological solutions and avoidance strategies. Utilizing bibliometrics, this report provides a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature for the assessment of the research landscape in order to recognize trends in desalination technologies in the MENA region, providing valuable insights into emerging technologies and research priorities. Despite challenges such as high initial investment costs, technical complexities, and limited funding for research and development, the convergence of water scarcity and renewable energy presents significant opportunities for integrated desalination systems in GCC countries. Summarizing, this paper emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and international collaboration by addressing the complex challenges of water scarcity and energy sustainability in the MENA region. By leveraging renewable energy sources and advancing desalination technologies, the region can achieve water security while mitigating environmental impacts and promoting economic development.

There is an acute scarcity of potable water in many parts of the world, and especially in the Middle East region. Important advances have been made in solar desalination technology but their wide application is restricted by relatively high capital and running costs. Until recently, solar concentrator collectors have usually been employed to distill water in compact desalination systems. Currently, it is possible to replace these collectors by the more efficient evacuated tube collectors, which are now widely available on the market at a similar price.

Simulation and geometric optimization of a hybrid system of solar chimney and water desalination

This paper examines the numerical analysis of the transient analysis of solar desalination and the effect of climatic conditions on its performance. The solar water desalination plant is intended to convert the salt water of the seas and lakes into fresh water. TRNSYS software is used for simulation. In order to study the effect of weather conditions on the efficiency of solar water desalination, the cities of Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Isfahan, Hamedan, Kerman, Mashhad, Tabriz, Zahedan and Tehran have been considered. The effect of solar collector area and auxiliary heater power on solar water desalination efficiency has been investigated. The results show that with increasing collector area and auxiliary heater power, the outlet water temperature of the collector increases. Carbon dioxide production has decreased by about 4.5-8.6% compared to diesel desalination. Using the analytic hierarchy process decision-making algorithm, the best location for installing the desalination plant has been selected based on the two criteria of solar water desalination efficiency and distance from the sea. Bushehr city is in the first place with 75% efficiency and Tabriz city is in the second place with 61% efficiency.

Important advances have been made in solar water desalination technology but their wide application is restricted by relatively high capital and running costs. Until recently, solar concentrator collectors had usually been employed to distill water in compact desalination systems. Currently, it is possible to replace these collectors by the more efficient evacuated tube collectors, which are now widely available on the market at lower prices. This paper describes the results of experimental and theoretical investigations of the operation of a novel small-scale solar water desalination technology using the psychometric humidification and dehumidification process coupled with a heat pipe evacuated tube solar collector with an aperture area of ∼1.73 m2. Solar radiation during spring in the Middle East was simulated by an array of halogen floodlights. A synthetic brackish water solution was used for the tests and its total dissolved solids (TDSs) and electrical conductivity were measured. A mathematical model was developed to describe the system's operation. A computer program was written to solve the system of governing equations to perform the theoretical calculations of the humidification and dehumidification processes. The experimental and theoretical values for the total daily distillate output were found to be closely correlated. The test results demonstrate that, at temperatures of 55–60°C, the system produces ∼5–6 kg/h of clean water with a high desalination efficiency. Following the experimental calibration of the mathematical model, it was demonstrated that the performance of the system could be improved to produce a considerably higher amount of fresh water.

Feasibility and design of solar-powered electrodialysis reversal desalination systems for agricultural applications in the Middle East and North Africa

A new visual library for design and simulation of solar desalination systems (SDS)

Preliminary thermoeconomic analysis of combined parabolic trough solar power and desalination plant in port Safaga (Egypt)

Chapter 8 - Nanoparticles-enhanced energy storage materials in solar thermal desalination

Water is definitely physically scarce in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Mediterranean region with less than 1000 m3/capita/year. Water scarcity in these regions is a function of both water supply and water demand as both applies in most of the countries. Using the Falkenmark indicator the Mediterranean region will see increased deterioration in the availability of renewable water. The severe impacts of the non-availability of renewable water in these regions are cushioned by the development of desalination technology. Selection of the appropriate desalination technology, use of renewable energy and a proper method of dealing with high salinity wastewater discharge are very important measures necessary to mitigate the negative impacts of desalination activity, reduce desalination costs and make desalination sustainable and reliable. This work reviews the nature of water scarcity in the Eastern Mediterranean region and advances in solar desalination using the Northern part of Cyprus as a case study.