Toward efficient thermal desalination via alternate vertical array flow of binary liquids

Zhiyong Zhao, Hongfei Zheng, Xinglong Ma, Shen Liang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Traditional humidification and dehumidification desalination process encounters obstacles related to inefficient heat and mass transfer and components separation, leading to complex structure and low volume freshwater yield. Given this, this paper proposes an alternate vertical array flow of binary liquids separation process of hot seawater and cold freshwater, which can integrate humidifier and dehumidifier into one chamber, potentially achieving compact and efficient humidification and dehumidification desalination. Its heat and mass transfer are markedly enhanced as the evaporation and condensation occur simultaneously between cold freshwater and hot seawater films. Meanwhile, to reuse the sensible and latent heat of hot seawater and water vapor, a two-stage alternate evaporation and condensation humidification and dehumidification desalination system is developed. Theoretical models are established, and the optimal theoretical model is identified by comparing with experimental results. Subsequently, optimization investigations are conducted to determine the favorable geometric parameters for the evaporation and condensation process, highlighting an optimum separation distance of 10 mm between seawater and freshwater, and an optimal vertical flow height of 1.0 ∼ 1.5 m. Besides, its gained-output-ratio can reach 1.21 when operating at an initial seawater temperature of 80 °C and mass flow rate of 20 kg/h for both freshwater and seawater. This work potentially advances the compactness and efficiency of humidification and dehumidification desalination technology.

Original languageEnglish
Article number125350
JournalApplied Thermal Engineering
Volume263
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Mar 2025

Keywords

  • Evaporation and condensation
  • Falling film
  • Humidification and dehumidification (HDH)
  • Thermal desalination

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Toward efficient thermal desalination via alternate vertical array flow of binary liquids'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this

Zhao, Z., Zheng, H., Ma, X., & Liang, S. (2025). Toward efficient thermal desalination via alternate vertical array flow of binary liquids. Applied Thermal Engineering, 263, Article 125350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2024.125350