State-of-the-art-solar energy-driven adsorption desalination systems

Abstract

The present work presents a literature review of solar-driven adsorption desalination systems (ADS) from the perspective of hybrid systems, adsorption materials, and system configurations. The evaluation criteria were based on the daily water production rate (SDWP), gain output ratio, coefficient of performance (COP), and the specific cooling power (SCP) of the dual-cooling and desalination systems. Recommendations for effective systems that require further research and development to increase water productivity and enhance system performance are also mentioned. First, concerning hybrid systems, adding an ejector to the adsorption desalination cycle showed a significant improvement in SDWP, reaching 40 m³/ton per day (TPD). In comparison, using two ejectors in the ADS integrated with HDH reached 83.1 m³/TPD at a cost estimated at 1.49 $/m³. Secondly, concerning system configurations, a wire wound finned tube heat exchanger of ADS achieved high performance. The SDWP, SCP, and COP were 23.5 m³/TPD, 682 W/kg, and 0.32, respectively. Thirdly, concerning adsorption materials, the results showed promising adsorbent materials in the range of solar energy temperatures, and on top of them was sodium polyacrylate (SP)/CaCl₂, where SDWP and COP were about 45 m³/TPD and 0.67, respectively, while the cost was estimated at 3.8 $/m³. Finally, it was recommended to introduce 2D adsorbents to improve the adsorption properties and heat exchangers with 3D structures to improve the overall heat transfer coefficient of ADS.