Performance analysis and optimization of hybrid multi-effect distillation adsorption desalination system powered with solar thermal energy for high salinity sea water

Performance analysis, parametric study and response surface methodology (RSM) based optimization of hybrid Multi-Effect Distillation Adsorption Desalination (MEDAD) system powered with solar energy is presented in this paper. The goal is to develop innovative and cost-effective technology for high salt concentration sea water desalination using renewable energy technologies. The main objectives are to develop sustainable methods and strategies to enhance the quality and quantity of freshwater production; and reduce the energy consumption during the desalination process. The effect of number of stages for the Multi Effect Distillation (MED) system, the addition of the adsorption desalination (AD) stage and the heat recovery from the residual brines on the performance of the MEDAD system for high salinity sea water under hot and humid climatic conditions are investigated. The analytical analysis and an optimization method are used in this study to determine the system's optimum operating conditions to maximize the freshwater production, reduce the energy consumption and performance ratio. Four input factors are selected for the parametric study: Heat transfer fluid temperature and Reynolds number; and sea water temperature and total dissolved solids TDS. The results show that the production rate of fresh water was improved by 2.68 times, achieving a 57.78% lower specific energy consumption by adding the adsorption desalination stage. For the heat recovery from the residual brine, the results show that the freshwater production rate and the performance ratio increased by respectively 14.73% and 12.86%, and the specific energy consumption decreased by 11.34%. New correlations for the variation of the inverse of the specific energy consumption (m(3)/kWh) and the performance ratio versus the four input factors and the order of importance of the input factors are presented. (c) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This paper presents the performance analysis, parametric study, and optimization of a hybrid Multi-Effect Distillation Adsorption Desalination (MEDAD) system powered by solar energy. The goal is to enhance freshwater production, reduce energy consumption, and develop sustainable methods for high salt concentration sea water desalination.