A solar desalination system using humidification–dehumidification process: experimental study and comparison with the theoretical results Original Research Article

In this study, influence of the different system operating conditions on the performance of a solar desalination system using humidification-dehumidification process have been investigated experimentally under the climatological conditions of Ankara (40°N, 33°E), Turkey. An experimental set-up that consists of a double-pass flat plate solar air heater with two glass covers, pad humidifier, dehumidifying exchanger and water storage tank was designed and manufactured. Working principle of the set-up is based on the idea of closed water and open-air cycles. A series of tests were performed on it in outdoor environment, in order to assess the effect of mass flow rate of the feed water, process air and cooling water, double-pass flat plate solar air heater, initial water temperature and amount of the water inside the storage tank on the productivity of the system. Additionally, an evacuated tubular solar water heater unit was integrated to the existing system and the effect of this integration on the performance of the system was examined. Solar radiation, wind speed, relative humidity, mass flow rate of the feed water, process air and cooling water, mass of condensate water and temperatures at various locations were obtained during the experiments.