Design and Performance of a Photovoltaic Thermal Assisted Solar Desalination Unit for Saline Water Treatment

Abstract

The escalating global population, industrialization, and climate change have intensified the demand for clean water, rendering conventional water sources increasingly inadequate. This scarcity has necessitated the development of alternative and sustainable freshwater production methods. In this context, environmentally friendly water treatment technologies powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, present significant potential for energy efficiency. Photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) systems, which concurrently generate electricity and thermal energy, offer dual benefits in applications such as desalination. This study experimentally analyzes the performance of a specially designed solar-powered PVT-assisted desalination system for saline water treatment. Experiments were conducted under environmental conditions using prevailing solar radiation data. The system utilizes waste heat from the PVT unit to produce purified water through evaporation and condensation processes. Experimental results show that the system's total average daily electrical energy output was 344.1 Wh/day. The average electrical power generated during the testing period was 42.8 W. The PV system exhibited an average efficiency of 64.6% between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Regarding freshwater production performance, the average water production rate on June 1 was approximately 4.5 ml/min. Consequently, the total average daily freshwater yield recorded at the end of the day was 2234 ml. While the Gain Output Ratio (GOR) value of the desalination system is 1.9 on average, the overall efficiency value is around 44%. These findings demonstrate that the PVT-integrated system provides an eco-friendly and efficient dual-purpose solution for electricity generation and water purification.

Keywords

• Desalination system
• Photovoltaic-thermal
• Solar energy
• Efficiencies
• Potable water

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