Ultrasonic atomization technique for enhancing humidification process in thermal desalination

The need for desalination is expected to evolve, and interests in novel techniques to enhance thermal desalination are developing. Research studies on ultrasonic atomization for desalination application has been observed in the last few years. Hence, this study aims to examine humidification process enhancement using ultrasonic atomization and interaction of atomized droplets with hot air in the humidifier. In the Humidification and Dehumidification (HDH) desalination system examined, the humidifier is equipped with a single ultrasonic atomizer unit which operates continuously with preheated hot air entering the humidifier chamber. The system is investigated for different air flowrates (40 – 100 LPM) and hot air temperatures (40, 50, and 60 °C). The average relative humidity at the humidifier outlet was maximum reaching 94 % for the highest flowrate. The results indicate that increasing hot air temperatures have significant improvement in droplet evaporation which causes higher relative humidity at the outlet, and increasing hot air flowrates have significant impact on the faster response of the humidification process to reach equilibrium.