An Experimental Study to Apply an Absorption Refrigeration Cycle as a Dehumidifier in Humidification-Dehumidification Solar Desalination System

In this paper, the performance of a hybrid humidification-dehumidification (HDH) desalination system is experimentally studied. The system operates as an Open-Air Closed-Water cycle and utilizes a solar air heater to heat the input air to the humidifier. An Ammonia absorption refrigeration cooling cycle is used to condense the humid air, producing fresh water. Parameters such as temperature and relative humidity were measured in different stages of the system by using humidity and temperature sensors, and the thermodynamic analysis was carried out using EES software. The effects of the mass flow rate and temperature of the inlet air flow on the rate of desalination, COP, GOR, and the efficiency of the humidifier and the dehumidifier were studied. The analysis proved that the highest rate of water production and GOR were 150 g/h and 1.2, respectively. It was also perceived that with an increase in the air mass flow rate, the rate of water production and COP increased, while GOR and the efficiency of the dehumidifier diminished. This is while the efficiency of the humidifier remains nearly constant. It was also concluded that an increase in the temperature of the input air, leads to a fall in the GOR, while the other parameters show an increasing trend. Following the economic analysis of the system, the CPL was found to be $0.16 /L.