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Proof of Concept of the Regeneration Part in a Novel Desiccant-Based Atmospheric Water Generator

  • Research Article-Mechanical Engineering
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Abstract

Earth atmosphere holds a vast amount of water that can be considered a reliable freshwater resource. The desiccant-based atmospheric water generator comprises a basic humidification–dehumidification (HDH) system that uses a liquid desiccant solution instead of saline water and a desiccant-based air dryer. This paper focuses on the regeneration part of the desiccant-based atmospheric water generator. An experimental study is conducted on this part, which is a desiccant (lithium bromide)-heated open-air HDH cycle with brine recirculation. The system is designed and implemented in a controlled setting to investigate the effect of various system operating parameters, including desiccant-to-air mass flowrate ratio, cooling water mass flowrate, desiccant temperature, and cooling water temperature on the system performance indices. Performance is assessed based on the system freshwater recovery ratio, gain output ratio (GOR), and freshwater productivity. This study presents an innovative method by integrating humidification–dehumidification as the regeneration process within the atmospheric water generator to showcase its practicality. Results indicate an optimum desiccant-to-air mass flowrate ratio at which maximizes the system recovery ratio, productivity, and gain output ratio (GOR). Higher desiccant-to-air mass flowrate ratio and top (heating) temperatures lead to increased freshwater production rate, GOR, and freshwater recovery ratio. Lower bottom (cooling water) temperatures and higher cooling water flowrate enhance the system's performance.

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Abbreviations

DH:

Desiccant-heated

GOR:

Gain output ratio

HDH:

Humidification–dehumidification

HME:

Heat and mass exchange

MED:

Multiple effect desalination

MENA:

Middle East and North Africa

PVC:

Polyvinyl chloride

h fg :

Latent heat of vaporization (kJ kg−1)

\(\dot{m}\) :

Mass flowrate (kg s−1)

MR:

Mass flowrate ratio for desiccant to air

n :

Number

\(\dot{Q}\) :

Rate of heat input (kW)

R:

Result

RR:

Recovery ratio (%)

t :

Time (s)

T :

Temperature (°C)

T cold :

Cooling water operating temperature—bottom temperature

T hot :

Hot desiccant temperature—top temperature

x :

Independent variable

\(\delta\) :

Uncertainty or variation

∂:

Partial derivative

a :

Air

ch:

Chiller

cw:

Cooling water

d :

Dry

db:

Dry-bulb

deh:

Dehumidifier

est:

Estimated

exp:

Experimental

fp:

Freshwater production

hum:

Humidifier

ht:

Heater

in:

Inlet

out:

Outlet

R :

Results

s :

Desiccant

tank:

Desiccant tank

wb:

Wet-bulb

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the support provided by King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals through the project DUP20101.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Interdisciplinary Research Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (IRC-SES), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

    M. A. M. Ahmed, M. A. Antar & S. M. Zubair

  2. Mechanical Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

    O. Shamet, M. A. Antar & S. M. Zubair

  3. Interdisciplinary Research Center for Membranes and Water Security (IRC-MWS), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

    D. U. Lawal & M. A. Antar

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  1. M. A. M. Ahmed
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  2. O. Shamet
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Correspondence to S. M. Zubair.

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Ahmed, M.A.M., Shamet, O., Lawal, D.U. et al. Proof of Concept of the Regeneration Part in a Novel Desiccant-Based Atmospheric Water Generator. Arab J Sci Eng 49, 2813–2829 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-023-08512-2

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