Desalination using solar energy: Towards sustainability |
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Authors: | Veera Gnaneswar Gude Nagamany NirmalakhandanShuguang Deng |
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Affiliation: | a Civil Engineering Department, New Mexico State University, P.O. Box 30001, MSC 3CE, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USAb Chemical Engineering Department, New Mexico State University, P.O. Box 30001, MSC 3805, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA |
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Abstract: | This paper describes the theoretical rationale for a new low temperature phase-change desalination process, and six examples of applications to illustrate how this process can be engineered for sustainable desalination. In this process, brackish water is evaporated at near-ambient temperatures under near-vacuum pressures created by the barometric head without any mechanical energy input. Thermodynamic advantages and benefits of low temperature phase-change desalination are discussed and results from simulation studies and a prototype test system are presented. Three of the examples illustrate how the proposed process can be driven by solar energy: a) utilizing direct solar energy; b) inclusion of an external reflector; c) utilizing photovoltaic energy during non-sunlight hours. The other examples illustrate how the proposed process can be driven by waste heat: i) waste heat rejected by an absorption refrigeration unit driven by grid power; ii) waste heat rejected by an absorption refrigeration unit driven by solar collectors; and iii) waste heat rejected by an absorption refrigeration unit supported by a photovoltaic array. Merits of utilizing solar energy and process waste heat in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are discussed in detail. |
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Keywords: | Desalination Solar energy Thermal energy storage Solar still Sustainability Renewable energy |
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