Experimental evaluation of combined humidifier-dehumidifier desalination with thermoelectric module for simultaneous use of heating and cooling

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the performance of a Humidifier-Dehumidifier (HDH) desalination system paired with thermoelectric cooling, in order to achieve effective water desalination. The system employed the thermoelectric module’s heating and cooling capabilities to warm the water entering the HDH system and remove moisture from the humid air. An investigation was conducted to examine the impact of varying sea water mass flow rate (SWMFR) and air mass flow rate (AMFR) on the performance characteristics of the system. These metrics include gain output ratio (GOR), coefficient of performance (COP), fresh water generation, and dehumidifier efficiency. The data collected clearly demonstrated that the performance of the system was significantly influenced by the WMFR and AMFR. The ideal values for the amount of fresh water produced, COP, GOR, and dehumidifier efficiency were determined to be 140 gs per hour, 0.93, 0.7 and, 52.5 %, respectively. The experimental assessment showcased the capability of the integrated HDH desalination with thermoelectric cooling system as a highly efficient and economically viable approach for desalination, particularly in regions with limited water resources.