Thermal Energy Consumption Research Articles

Modeling and simulation of direct contact membrane distillation system integrated with a photovoltaic thermal for electricity and freshwater production

Energy drives the growth, transformation, and economic development of every nation. The vitality of human existence and progress hinges on the accessibility of both energy and water resources. As freshwater resources are diminishing, therefore, desalination needs have increased. In solar membrane distillation systems, the key challenge is maintaining the intake water temperature in the membrane distillation system with fluctuating solar radiation intensity which affects the distillate water quantity and quality. The objective of this study is to enhance and optimize a mathematical model for analyzing a cutting-edge solar-integrated PV/T-DCMD system. In this innovative integration, the direct contact membrane distillation intake water temperature is derived from the photovoltaic thermal output. The integration of direct contact membrane distillation with photovoltaic thermal systems represents a cost-effective and technologically advantageous concept. As the water temperature increases, there is a notable improvement in the evaporation efficiency of PV/T-DCMD systems, with an increase from 35.08% to 42.01%. Additionally, there is a reduction in specific thermal energy consumption, decreasing from 1,192 to 1,386 kWh/m3 as a consequence of the elevated feed water temperature.

Development of Virtual Sensor Based on LSTM-Autoencoder to Detect Faults in Supply Chilled Water Temperature Sensor

Supply chilled water temperature (SCWT) is an important variable for the efficient and stable operation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. A precisely measured value ensured by the continuous reliability of the temperature sensor is essential for optimal control of an HVAC system because temperature sensor faults can affect the chiller operation and waste energy. Therefore, temperature sensor fault-detection strategies are imperative for maintaining a comfortable indoor thermal environment and ensuring the efficient and stable operation of HVAC systems. This study proposes a fault-detection method for an SCWT sensor using a virtual sensor based on a long short-term memory-autoencoder. The fault-detection performance is evaluated considering a case study under various sensor fault scenarios to evaluate changes in indoor thermal comfort and energy consumption after correcting sensor faults detected by the virtual sensor. The results verify excellent fault-detection performance in various fault scenarios (F-1 scores ranging from 0.9350 to 1.000). After correcting the SCWT fault, indoor thermal comfort is steadily maintained without additional energy consumption (indoor set-point temperature unmet hour reduced by a maximum of 105.7 hours, and energy consumption decreased by up to 1.8%).

ENERGY RESISTANCE OF MEDICAL FACILITIES DURING TRANSIENT OPERATION MODES OF THE ENERGY SYSTEM

The question of increasing the reliability of the operation of objects in the energy system of Ukraine is under consideration. It is shown that the issue of energy supply of public facilities received new requirements during the war. Especially such requirements now apply to medical facilities. The main types of energy for medical institutions are the supply of electrical and thermal energy. For Ukraine, on the basis of climatic features, the consumption of thermal energy is much larger than that of other types of energy. Therefore, one of the important steps to reduce energy consumption is thermal modernization of buildings. This paper considers the general energy supply system, which includes not only heat supply but also electricity supply. It is necessary not only to have the electricity itself in the network, but also to meet the quality requirements. Medical electrotechnical complexes are one of the most critical to the quality of electrical energy. Correct diagnosis and maintenance of vital activity of the patient's organism depend on their work. It is proposed to assess the state of energy supply through the model of mutual dependence of energies. Therefore, qualitative changes in thermal energy indicators cannot be compensated for by network solutions. Maintaining the temperature in the premises is possible precisely due to the use of other heat sources. In terms of the energy connectivity model, the only way to equalize the "body of energy consumption" is the mutual replacement of one energy by another. Variants of equalization of the "body of energy consumption" for medical institutions are defined. A presentation of the "body of energy consumption" is proposed, with a reflection of the qualitative limits of the shape of the "body of energy consumption" in relation to thermal energy. The concept of the limit of energy sustainability according to qualitative indicators is introduced. A number of measures to support energy sustainability have been identified. In order to achieve the longest compliance with energy supply quality indicators, it is proposed to disconnect part of the premises from the energy supply system while preserving the energy supply group for those premises that will remain. It is noted that using the criterion of energy sustainability, it is possible to analyze construction structures and technological processes in the buildings themselves in order to develop measures to increase energy sustainability with a given direction.

Willingness to pay for well-being housing attributes driven by design layout: Evidence from Hong Kong

Housing design layout plays a crucial role in occupant well-being, yet existing research has not clearly understood occupants’ preferences for different housing design layout attributes. This study aims to elucidate preferences by measuring demand-side willingness to pay (WTP) for housing attributes related to well-being and influenced by design layout. We first simulate the metrics of five housing attributes under different layouts, i.e., spatial daylight autonomy (sDA), spatial glare autonomy (sGA), natural ventilation effectiveness (NVE), predicted mean vote (PMV), and energy use intensity (EUI). Then, WTP for these attributes is disentangled from housing prices using the hedonic model. The findings demonstrate that a 1 % increase in sDA, sGA, and NVE corresponds to respective increases of 1.342 %, 0.694 %, and 2.842 % in housing prices, showing that residents value greatly the presence of natural ventilation and well-lit spaces with appropriate daylight. However, no significant correlations are found for PMV and EUI, suggesting a lack of a general preference towards thermal comfort or energy consumption in the Hong Kong context. This study contributes to a deeper knowledge of key well-being attributes in housing design as well as practical insights to create housing environments that prioritise occupant well-being and enhance market value. Future research should consider expanding to diverse housing markets, incorporating more well-being attributes, and examining the temporal variations of WTP.

Human behavior changing based on the simulation of the temperature control of a house

To optimize the energy consumption in a house, the behavior of the occupants must be changed. This can be achieved by providing information and suggestions to the occupants. Based on a web application, some suggestions can be offered only if it is available a thermal model of the house. This paper presents a simple solution for thermal modeling of a house which includes experimental identification of the parameters of the model, using a less expensive and noninvasive measurement system (indoor and outdoor temperatures and thermal energy consumption). Such data are used to simulate the thermal behavior of the house, to estimate the energy consumption and to obtain solutions to reduce energy consumption. In simulation, the control of the thermal system is performed using a model predictive control algorithm.

Collaborative Optimized Design of Glazing Parameters and PCM Utilization for Energy-Efficient Glass Curtain Wall Buildings

Glass curtain walls (GCWs) have become prevalent in office buildings, owing to their lightweight and modular characteristics. However, their lower thermal resistance, compared to opaque walls, results in increased energy consumption. Incorporating phase-change materials (PCMs) provides a viable solution through which to address the susceptibility of GCWs to external conditions, thus enhancing thermal performance and mitigating energy concerns. This study delves into the influences of the glazing solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), the glazing heat transfer coefficient (U-value), and PCM thickness on the energy performance of buildings. Using Design Builder (DB) software version 6.1.0.006, a multi-story office building was simulated in different climatic zones in China, covering the climatic characteristics of severe cold, cold, hot summer and warm winter, cold summer and winter, and mild regions. The simulation results quantitatively elucidated the effects of the glazing parameters and the number of PCMs on thermal regulation and energy consumption. A sensitivity analysis identified the glazing SHGC as the most influential factor in energy consumption. Additionally, by employing Response Surface Methodology (RSM), the researchers aimed to achieve a balance between minimal building energy consumption and economic cost, ultimately determining an optimal design solution. The results demonstrated significant energy savings, ranging from 20.16% to 81.18%, accompanied by economic savings, ranging from 15.78% to 79.54%, across distinct climate zones in China.

Modernization of local heat distribution stations of city heat supply system

The PURPOSE of this work is to develop technical solutions to increase the efficiency of functioning of centralized urban heating systems by modernizing local heat distribution stations. The article considers the issues of functioning of district heating systems with open water intake. The work presents technical solutions that increase the efficiency of the local heat distribution station with a hot water supply unit. A technological scheme has been developed, the selection of equipment has been made. The feasibility of using the developed technical solutions is confirmed by technical, economic and investment indicators. The objectivity of determining the technical and economic effect of the modernization of the local heat distribution station is ensured by comparing the obtained indicators of the modernized and similar facilities.METHODS. To fulfill the objectives of the study, the following methods were applied: full-scale tests on a real object; processing of experimental data using application programs; feasibility study in the municipal heat power industry.THE RESULTS show an improvement in the technical and economic performance of the heating and hot water supply system of an apartment building in Yoshkar-Ola city: reduced network water consumption by 36–39%; temperature drop in the return pipeline was 13.5%; the heat content of hot water has been reduced to 0.168 Gcal/m3 (normative heat content is 0.145 Gcal/m3), the required circulation was ensured in all risers of the hot water supply system. The total losses from October 2021 to September 2022 are 3486,4 Gcal or 11.4% of heat supplied to consumers, which is less than 13% set by the tariff. Compared to a similar house without a regulation depending on the outside air temperature, the consumption of thermal energy during the heating season is reduced by 80 Gcal (10.9%).CONCLUSION. The new scheme of a local heat distribution station has been proposed, including the regulation of domestic hot water (DHW) recirculation, as well as the installation of a hydroelevator with weather regulation. The developed technical solution is relevant for district heating systems with open water intake. For the first time, an experimental study of the effect of the joint installation of the following equipment was carried out: a pump and a control valve on the DHW recirculation line before the recirculation mixing unit with the return pipeline of the heating system; hydraulic elevator with weather regulation. The results of the study can be used in the feasibility study of similar circuit solutions for the modernization of DHW systems. Operating experience has shown that the application of the developed technological scheme of local heat distribution station has positive effects: reduction of network water consumption, temperature in the return pipeline and heat losses; improvement of circulation in all risers of the DHW system; reduction of thermal energy consumption during the period of the “lower” cutoff of the temperature graph; curbing the growth of tariffs for thermal energy.

Research on performance test and evaluation of thermal management system of power battery module under harsh conditions

Under harsh conditions, the battery module (BM) used for Ev’s power system has issues of local overheating, continuous high temperature, and spontaneous combustion causing thermal accidents. This problem is directly related to the safety of life and property of drivers and passengers. What’s more, it also seriously restricts the high-quality development and promotion of Evs. To solve the limitations and drawbacks of the BM. this paper designs the thermal management structure with TiO2 nanofluids closed loop pulsating heat pipe (TiO2-CLPHP) as the key component and constructs the thermal management system with TiO2-CLPHP (TiO2-CLPHP TMS). On the basis, the temperature optimal thermal management strategy (TOS) and energy consumption optimal thermal management strategy (ECOS) is proposed. To investigate the performance response of TiO2-CLPHP TMS, the performance test of TiO2-CLPHP TMS is carried out. The results show that in terms of thermal management performance, the TiO2-CLPHP TMS with TOS and ECOS (TOS-TiO2-CLPHP TMS, ECOS-TiO2-CLPHP TMS) can effectively suppress the highest temperature, temperature rise and improve temperature uniformity of the PM. Of these, the minimum improvement rates of TOS-TiO2-CLPHP TMS can reach 29.41%, 78.37%, 65.88%, 58.82%, and 64.95%. The minimum improvement rates of ECOS-TiO2-CLPHP TMS can reach 27.24%, 72.65%, 64.71%, 55.88%, and 68.04%, respectively. In terms of the thermal management economy, compared with TOS-TiO2-CLPHP TMS, ECOS-TiO2-CLPHP TMS has lower energy consumption. The efficiency values of the ECOS-TiO2-CLPHP TMS are not less than 87.72%. It can be concluded that the proposed TiO2-CLPHP TMS has excellent thermal management performance. The ECOS-TiO2-CLPHP TMS can maximize the dual requirements of the thermal management performance and thermal management economy. This study innovatively proposed a thermal management method for nanofluids PHP used in BM. Compared with previous studies, the proposed TiO2-CLPHP TMS reduced the temperature difference from the traditional 5.00 °C to less than 3.40 °C, greatly improving the temperature uniformity of the BM. The completion of this research provides a new idea of battery thermal management based on metal oxide nanofluids PHP, and the constructed performance evaluation method provides a referral scheme for the performance test and evaluation of thermal management technology.

Parameter collaborative analysis and multi-objective optimization of a nanofluid filtered solar membrane distillation system using heat pump

The distributed solar powered membrane distillation (SPMD) system for water/electricity co-production is a valuable solution for relieving energy pressure in remote areas but it suffers from a complicated operation mechanism. This paper performs a comprehensive parameter analysis and user-oriented optimization on a nanofluid filtered solar membrane distillation system using heat pump to enhance its competitiveness. Response surface methodology is employed to examine the interactions of the influencing factors on the system performance, and the plots reveal significant interactions, particularly on equivalent specific thermal energy consumption (eSTEC). An artificial neural network is integrated with genetic algorithm to perform single and multi-objective system performance optimization. The results show that maximum system exergy efficiency, permeate flux and minimum eSTEC are 19.39 %, 35.8 kg·m−2·h−1 and 463.5 kWh·m−3, respectively. Furthermore, the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution is utilized, based on performance indicator weight derived from the analytical hierarchy process, to offer a user-oriented optimal solution. It demonstrates that after optimization, the system exergy efficiency and permeate flux are improved by 9.9 % and 30.2 %, respectively, along with a reduction of eSTEC by 5.7 %. This research contributes to advancing solar-to-water/electricity efficiency and offering valuable insights for the development of SPMD systems.

Elucidation of temperature-induced water structuring on cellulose surfaces for environmental and energy sustainability

Optimizing drying energy in the forest products industry is critical for integrating lignocellulosic feedstocks across all manufacturing sectors. Despite substantial efforts to reduce thermal energy consumption during drying, further enhancements are possible. Cellulose, the main component of forest products, is Earth's most abundant biopolymer and a promising renewable feedstock. This study employs all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to explore the structural dynamics of a small Iβ-cellulose microcrystallite and surrounding water layers during drying. Molecular and atomistic profiles revealed localized water near the cellulose surface, with water structuring extending beyond 8 Å into the water bulk, influencing solvent-accessible surface area and solvation energy. With increasing temperature, there was a ∼20 % reduction in the cellulose surface available for interaction with water molecules, and a ∼22 % reduction in solvation energy. The number of hydrogen bonds increased with thicker water layers, facilitated by a “bridging” effect. Electrostatic interactions dominated the intermolecular interactions at all temperatures, creating an energetic barrier that hinders water removal, slowing the drying processes. Understanding temperature-dependent cellulose-water interactions at the molecular level will help in designing novel strategies to address drying energy consumption, advancing the adoption of lignocellulosics as viable manufacturing feedstocks.

Fast assessment method of annual energy consumption for DSF and SSFs

Double skin façade (DSF) is widely used to improve energy efficiency in buildings. Many studies have analyzed the thermal performance of DSF and single skin façade (SSF) on just standard days or typical moments. However, in order to more accurately analyze its energy-saving effect, its annual thermal performance should be evaluated. For achieving this, a large number of simulations are needed and it is extremely time consuming and complicated. This study provides a new fast calculation method for annual thermal performance and energy consumption of DSF and SSFs. Firstly, based on CFD technique, a simulation method for obtaining indoor temperature of DSF during whole year was established, and the results were verified through experiments. Then, a new simulation calculation method for heating and cooling periods was established, thereby completing annual thermal performance simulation of different facades. Finally, based on total heat gain/loss of each facade, the energy consumption of mentioned facades was calculated, and facades’ various performance can be seen for entire year. As an overall result for Beijing located in cold region, by considering whole year energy consumption, DSF plays as the best one with 18 % energy saving in the whole year compared to the second one which is 3 glazing exterior shading SSF; however, this SSF can save 37 % building area compared to DSF. The result of this study can be useable for other cities with same climate as the Beijing. The analyze method proposed in this study is useable for optimizing building facades in different climates.

A simulation study on the heating characteristics of residential buildings using intermittent heating in Hot-Summer/Cold-Winter areas of China

Radiant air conditioning system is an important heating method with better thermal comfort, less noise and greater energy-saving potential. However, different intermittent heating modes may significantly impact both the heating efficiency and indoor thermal comfort, which has been neglected in existing studies. Therefore, to obtain optimal intermittent heating modes for achieving higher energy efficiency and better indoor thermal comfort for the residential buildings in Hot Summer and Cold Winter areas, a TRNSYS model of the radiant air conditioning system was developed and validated. The indoor thermal comfort and energy consumption characteristics during the coldest day and entire heating season were simulated and analyzed based on four different intermittent heating modes. The results demonstrated that the supply water temperature of the air source heat pump unit and the radiant terminals stabilized at the set temperature in about 1 h during the start-up stage, and the indoor air temperature stabilized at 24.0 °C after 7.5 h during the shutdown stage. The proportion of time that meets first-level thermal comfort under the four intermittent heating modes was above 90.1% and even higher at over 96.1% when considering the sleeping period. Compared to the continuous heating mode, the four intermittent heating modes saved 22.3%, 25.8%, 40.4% and 48.4% of energy. Overall, the preferred intermittent heating mode for residential buildings with the radiant air conditioning system in Hot Summer and Cold Winter areas was identified as switching on from 7:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 3:00, while switching off from 15:00 to 19:00 and 3:00 to 7:00. This model not only considered the immediate benefits of improved indoor thermal comfort and energy efficiency, but also showed great advantages in developing sustainable construction.

Study on the infection control performance under interactive cascade ventilation: A focus on a conference room environment

With the rise of respiratory infectious diseases, many scholars focus on finding an appropriate ventilation method to effectively improve the indoor environmental protection effect, especially for crowded spaces, which can cause a widespread spread of the epidemic. Interactive cascade ventilation (ICV), as a recently proposed ventilation method, has presented advantages in thermal comfort, infection control and energy consumption. This study discusses the effect of the outlet/inlet locations on infection control performance under interactive cascade ventilation in a conference room with an experimentally verified model. Ninety-five simulations are carried out by considering changes in the location of the outlet/inlet opening and infection source. Particle removal efficiency (ε), predicted infection risk (Pi) and contaminant dispersion index (CDI) are introduced to evaluate the infection control performance comprehensively. The simulation results show that double-side supply air outlets coupled with double-side return air inlets can reduce Pi by 51.1 % compared with other ventilation strategies investigated in this paper. It indicates that ventilation zoning design is more effective for reducing cross-infection in dense spaces. The findings in this study can efficiently provide new insights for the actual application of ventilation strategies in conference rooms under epidemic normalization.

Theoretical and experimental investigation of cylindrical air gap membrane distillation system and effect of the membrane support net on its performance.

In present study a cylindrical module is studied based on air gap membrane distillation configuration and studied for desalination purpose. A complete theoretical model was developed with consideration of design and operating parameters that enabled a Cylindrical Air Gap Membrane Distillation (CAGMD) module specific performance analysis. Theoretical model was verified with the literature as well as with the experimental results carried out on a lab scale CAGMD module. The effect of support nets which supports the membrane on the air gap side is also discussed on the performance. Support nets made up of four different thermal conductivities material- copper, aluminum, brass and polypropylene (PP) are considered for this study. The effect of feed temperature and flow rate, air gap width, cold flow rate, effect of thermal conductivities of support nets and height of the module was studied on the performance of CAGMD module. Permeate flux, Specific Thermal Energy Consumption (STEC) and the Gained output ratio (GOR) was selected as the performance indicators and the results for all the resulted parameters obtained from experimental and theoretical model falls in good agreement with only 6% deviation, that suggests that the proposed model is best suitable for predicting the behavior of any cylindrical AGMD module with great effectiveness. It is suggested that for better performance of the system feed flow rate, temperature and cold flow rate should be maintained at higher level. Maximum permeate flux achieved from the CAGMD module is 9.22kg/m2h.

Analysis and evaluation of key influencing factors on the optimization of thermal energy consumption in industrial thermal power plants

In the past, the design and operation of industrial thermal power plants did not give importance to energy consumption. Due to the depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the rising of their prices, restrictions in emission of waste gases into atmosphere, and the need to reduce production costs over the last thirty years, greater attention has been paid to optimizing thermal energy consumption. Various technical, technological, and organizational measures are undertaken to reduce thermal energy consumption. This study examines the proposals for improving the efficiency of thermal energy production in four thermal power plants in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The activities aimed at improving energy efficiency are consolidated and presented through five measures. To determine the optimal measure, the criteria for evaluating each measure are defined. These criteria are analyzed and filtered by using the ISM method, and while the fuzzy AHP method was used for their weights. Finally, the fuzzy TOPSIS method for multi-criteria optimization is applied to select the optimal energy efficiency measure for the analyzed thermal power plants. Additionally, the research defines the order of implementing the selected measures to improve the energy efficiency of the studied thermal power plants.

Effects of different zoning thermostat controls on thermal comfort and cooling energy consumption in reading rooms of a library

This study assessed thermal comfort and energy consumption in indoor environments controlled by air or operative temperature. Reading rooms in a library were divided into several zones based on the distribution of operative temperature. Using air temperature of the inner zone in thermostat control yielded the lowest energy consumption but the poorest thermal comfort level. Conversely, using operative temperature of the least favorable exterior zone resulted in higher energy consumption and comfort levels. The suggested optimal control based on switching boundary temperature minimized energy consumption while satisfying the thermal comfort requirement. The switching boundary temperature range on the top floor is 0.7 °C lower than on the middle floor due to the influence of the roof. The thermostat control modes had similar effects on the east and west reading rooms. The switching boundary temperature ranges of north room was 2.0 °C higher than those of the south room. Zoning control using air temperature control in the inner zone and operative temperature control in the exterior zone was recommended as a much simple mode to keep thermal comfort with low energy use. This study provides insights about the use of operative temperature in zoning thermostat control and theoretical guidance for practical implementation.

Calculation of the economic and environmental efficiency of introducing advanced technologies in the energy supply of buildings

This article discusses the use of advanced cogeneration technologies at existing combined heat and power plants, regulating the supply of thermal energy in a building using an individual heating point. For Uzbekistan, an urgent problem is the serious study of the use of energysaving technologies, in particular in the heat supply systems, for the efficient use of investments. The achieved effect of reducing specific energy consumption for the production and consumption of thermal energy to the level of world standards will ensure the energy and environmental security of the country, which urgently requires accelerating the implementation of these projects. The search for large and small projects for the technical and technological renewal of production to ensure the competitiveness of products, as well as the means and sources for this should first become the most important task and responsibility of the manager and engineering staff of each heat supply enterprise. The article provides calculations on the basis of which the payback, investment, efficiency of measures in the field of renewable energy sources for electricity and heat supply are determined, as well as the calculation of thermal energy savings when installing an individual heating point.

Experimental Investigation of Vacuum Membrane Distillation (VMD) Performance Based on Operational Parameters for Clean Water Production

Freshwater shortage is an ongoing concern across the world, due to increasing populations and climate change. Vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) is a viable approach for producing fresh water to meet the needs of society. In the current study, an experimental investigation has been conducted on a laboratory-scale single-stage module to explore the impact of operational parameters such as feed temperature, vacuum pressure, and feed salinity on the performance of vacuum membrane distillation (VMD), including permeate flux, gained output ratio, and specific thermal energy consumption. Results show that increasing the feed temperature and feed flow rate, and reducing the salinity, increases the permeate flux. As the feed temperature rises from 60 to 70°C, the permeate flux increases from 1.90 to 4.36 kg/m²h at a permeate pressure of 12 kPa and salinity of 30 g/L. Similarly, increasing the vacuum pressure from 12 to 18 kPa reduces the permeate flux. As a result, the specific thermal energy consumption increases from 728 to 803 kWh/m³. From experimental findings, it was observed that the rejected brine from VMD retains sufficient energy that could be utilized in another desalination system.

Трансформация условий энергоснабжения Хабаровского края: социально-экономические последствия

The article examines the energy and heat supply systems of the Khabarovsk Krai taking into account the changes in the institutional conditions of their functioning. The electric power industry is viewed as a branch of specialization of the region due to the concentration of dispatching and management functions in the region. The paper states that the technological status of the energy system of the region is inferior to the neighboring regions of the Eastern Unified Energy System, which is due to the old generating equipment and the increasing capacity deficit. Taking heat economy characteristics into account the situation in the region is more favorable than in the southern zone of the Far Eastern Federal District. Basing on the consumption and purchasing power assessment, economic accessibility of electric and thermal energy makes the Khabarovsk Krai inferior to neighboring regions, which is due to a higher level of electricity tariffs, and a higher thermal energy consumption.

Hybrid vacuum membrane distillation-multi effect distillation (VMD-MED) system for reducing specific energy consumption in desalination

This study focuses on the integration of vacuum membrane distillation into the multi-effect distillation (VMD-MED) system, incorporating heat recovery mechanisms to augment fresh water productivity and minimize the specific thermal energy consumption of the desalination process when compared to stand-alone vacuum membrane desalination systems. The hybrid system was devised by integrating the experimental output of VMD (permeate flux and hot brine) as heat source to MED. Two hybrid systems were investigated in this study: VMD/MED, wherein the heated brine from VMD served as a heat source for MED, facilitating the recovery of sensible heat from VMD; and VMD-HR/MED, where the latent heat of VMD vapor during condensation was utilized to pre-heat the feed water for MED. Based on the performance parameters, it was concluded that the VMD-HR/MED hybrid system outperformed both the stand-alone VMD and VMD/MED hybrid system in terms of efficiency. The latent heat recovery from the condenser of VMD in VMD-HR/MED hybrid system reduces the specific thermal energy consumption (STEC) to 38.42 kWh/m3, however, it enhanced the gain-output-ratio (GOR) and productivity of the system. Additionally, a rise in GOR and a simultaneous decrease in STEC were observed with increasing feed flow rates and vacuum pressure.