Techno-economic assessment of a solar-humidification dehumidification desalination system based on a desiccant wheel

IF 6.3 2区材料科学 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells Pub Date : 2025-08-11 DOI:10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113893

Abhishek Tiwari, Amit Kumar

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Abstract

The humidification-dehumidification (HDH) desalination system is a promising thermal desalination technology, particularly suited for decentralized and small-scale freshwater production. This study presents an innovative closed-loop HDH system that integrates a desiccant wheel for enhanced moisture recovery, a humidifier packed with natural coconut fibres, and novel solar-powered water and air heaters, offering a sustainable and energy-efficient solution. A theoretical model is developed to optimize the desiccant wheel's operational parameters, identifying the optimal conditions as 15 revolutions per hour, 10 m/s adsorption air velocity, and 2 m/s regeneration air velocity. Under these optimized conditions, the system's performance is experimentally evaluated. Comprehensive energy, exergy, and economic analyses are carried out. The system achieved a freshwater yield of 5.027 L/day/m² with an energy efficiency of 52.5 %. Economic analysis revealed a freshwater production cost of $0.031 per litre, demonstrating the system's viability for long-term use under low-interest rate scenarios. Water quality analysis further confirmed the removal of 99.7 % of dissolved solids and salts, validating the system's potential as a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and reliable solution for potable water production in water-scarce regions.

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基于干燥剂轮的太阳能加湿除湿海水淡化系统技术经济评价

加湿-除湿（HDH）海水淡化系统是一种很有前途的热海水淡化技术，特别适用于分散和小规模的淡水生产。这项研究提出了一种创新的闭环HDH系统，该系统集成了一个用于增强水分回收的干燥剂轮，一个由天然椰子纤维包装的加湿器，以及一种新型的太阳能水和空气加热器，提供了一个可持续和节能的解决方案。建立了理论模型，优化了干燥剂轮的运行参数，确定了最佳条件为15转/小时，10 m/s吸附风速和2 m/s再生风速。在这些优化条件下，对系统的性能进行了实验评估。进行了全面的能源、能源和经济分析。该系统的淡水产量为5.027升/天/平方米，能源效率为52.5%。经济分析显示，淡水生产成本为每升0.031美元，证明了该系统在低利率情况下长期使用的可行性。水质分析进一步证实，该系统可以去除99.7%的溶解固体和盐，验证了该系统作为一种经济、环保、可靠的解决方案在缺水地区生产饮用水的潜力。

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来源期刊

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 工程技术-材料科学：综合

CiteScore

12.60

自引率

11.60%

发文量

513

审稿时长

47 days

期刊介绍： Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells is intended as a vehicle for the dissemination of research results on materials science and technology related to photovoltaic, photothermal and photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion. Materials science is taken in the broadest possible sense and encompasses physics, chemistry, optics, materials fabrication and analysis for all types of materials.