Multi-Objective Optimization of the Humidification-Dehumidification Desalination System for Productivity and Size

Khedmati, Amir Reza; Shafii, Mohammad Behshad

doi:10.30501/jree.2020.104062

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.30501/jree.2020.104062

Abstract

The humidification-dehumidification system is one of the desalination technologies that can utilize non-fossil thermal sources and requires insignificant input energy. This system is usually suitable for rural areas and places far from the main sources of energy. The purpose of this study is to obtain the most suitable working conditions and dimensions of this system. In this research, thermodynamic modeling was first performed for a simple type of the system (water-heated); then, the effect of parameters on the system performance was investigated. Modeling was conducted through a numerical simulation; furthermore, the assumption of the saturation of exhaust air from the humidifier was also considered in the mentioned code. Afterward, a comparison was made between two different forms of the system, and the proper form was chosen for the rest of the research. Moreover, through heat transfer equations, the dimensions of the two main parts of the system, i.e., humidifier and dehumidifier, were calculated. Besides, multi-objective optimization was carried out for two objective functions, i.e., gained output ratio (GOR) and the system volume, to reduce the space occupied by the system and reach the desired efficiency simultaneously. The optimization was performed using a simulation program, and results were obtained for different weights in order to optimize each objective function. For instance, 379 liters of freshwater can be produced in a day with a total volume of 48 liters for the humidifier and the dehumidifier in the optimized system.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Renewable Energy Resources and Technologies

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Journal of Renewable Energy and Environment

Multi-Objective Optimization of the Humidification-Dehumidification Desalination System for Productivity and Size

References

References

Volume 7, Issue 1
February 2020
Pages 1-11

Multi-Objective Optimization of the Humidification-Dehumidification Desalination System for Productivity and Size

References

References

Volume 7, Issue 1February 2020Pages 1-11

Volume 7, Issue 1
February 2020
Pages 1-11