Hybrid solar powered desalination system based on air humidification dehumidification integrated with novel distiller: Exergoeconomic analysis

In the current study, an experimental investigation of a hybrid-solar desalination system consisting of humid-ification-dehumidification unit and a solar distiller (HDH-SD) with exergoeconomic modelling was conducted. Experimental work was performed under outdoor environmental conditions in September 2021. The present work introduces a new humidifier design with helical flow channels and novel solar distiller with multiple sections. The main motivation for analysis is to determine the optimal system operation and design parameters. Exergy-based loss rate, exergy production factor, exergoeconomic parameters, exergy efficiency, and water cost are the main estimated parameters. The result indicates that the maximum HDH-SD system productivity reached 620 L per month. The exergy loss rate in summer is higher than in autumn and spring by about 33% and higher than in winter by about 60%. The exergoeconomic parameter decreases with an increase in interest rates. However, the increase in interest rates causes an increase in water costs. For a lifetime of 30 years and interest rate of 2%, the lowest water cost is about 1.3 $/m3, but the exergoeconomic parameter is the highest. The present study indicates good agreement between the present experimental and numerical investigations.

Automated summary

This study investigates a hybrid-solar desalination system through experimental work and exergoeconomic modeling. The system consists of a humidification-dehumidification unit and a solar distiller. The study introduces new designs for the humidifier and the solar distiller, aiming to determine the optimal operation and design parameters. Various parameters, including exergy-based loss rate, exergy production factor, exergoeconomic parameters, exergy efficiency, and water cost, are estimated. The results show the maximum productivity of the system and the variations of exergy loss rate and exergoeconomic parameters under different conditions.