Performance simulation of an innovative wicks-based solar dome for desalination in NEOM

Abstract

Saudi Arabia's desalination demand is projected to increase by 1900% from 2014 to 2040, necessitating proposed innovative solutions for sustainable freshwater production. Here, the author simulated the performance of a “Solar Dome” modified with wicks and inner reflectors assisted by heliostat fields in the NEOM region from being benchmarked with similar systems of earlier experiments (i.e., Solapur and Kafr El-Shaikh). A comparison between a conventional system (N-Conv) with no inner reflectors and/or in-basin wicks and a reflectors-modified system (N-Ref) was established via various mathematical models. Simulation results showed a maximum of 3.2 L/m² $\bullet$ h and 8 L/m² $\bullet$ h for Solapur and NEOM, respectively, with a 2.5-fold increase in production from developing T_w = 85–95 °C. The integration of inner reflectors enhances heat transfer efficiency, yielding increases of 7.5-fold for the heat transfer coefficient (h_ewg), 1.5-fold for the convective heat transfer coefficient (h_cwg), and 1.4-fold for the radiative heat transfer coefficient (h_rwg). The N-Ref system reduces reliance on heliostats from 80% to 54%, indicating significant cost savings. The N-Ref can achieve up to 60% efficiency and a 226% productivity improvement, with daily freshwater yields ranging from 76 to 156 kL per dome. Productivity analysis shows that 68% of N-Conv operates between 1.9 and 9.3 kL/h, while N-Ref ranges from 3.3 to 15.8 kL/h, representing a 1.7-fold increase. To meet NEOM's freshwater needs for a population of 1 million by 2028, approximately 1393 domes would be required, with the N-Ref design improving the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) from 2.95 to 8.42. These findings affirm the study's potential to address future freshwater demands sustainably using 100% renewable energy.