Simulation study on a solar desalination system utilizing an evaporator/condenser chamber

A solar desalination system consisting of a solar collector coupled to an evaporation/condensation chamber, all components fabricated from polymeric materials, has been developed and tested. A simulation model of the desalination system has been developed and validated by inter-comparison with experimental measurements on such a system. The simulation model employs a numerical solution to a set of differential equations describing the system. The validated simulation model was then utilized to perform parametric sensitivity studies to determine optimum design parameters and operation conditions. It was found that a solar desalination system, based upon the prototype studied, is capable of producing in excess of 11 kgm^-2d^-1 of distillate on a sunny day when the gap between the evaporator and condenser surfaces is of the order of 2 cm, and the feedstock flow rate is within the range of 40-50 kgm^-2d^-1. Such a corrosion resistant desalination system would be ideal for desalination of seawater. The results of the performance testing, simulation model validation and parametric sensitivity studies on the prototype module are reported.