Theoretical and experimental investigation of humidification-dehumidification desalination unit

The results of the investigation have shown that the system productivity increases with the increase in the mass flow rate of water through the unit. Water temperature at condenser exit increases linearly with water temperature at humidifier inlet and it decreases as water flow rate increases. The higher water temperature at humidifier inlet or water flow rate, the higher is the air temperature and humidity ratio at condenser inlet and exit. A maximum productivity of 5.8 liter/h has been obtained using wooden slates packing and with forced air circulation. No significant improvement in the performance of the desalination unit has been achieved by forced circulation of air at high water temperatures. The average relative deviation of theoretical predictions from measurements is (− 0.9%) in the air temperature at condenser inlet, (3.8%) in the humidity ratio at condenser exit and (− 1%) in the water temperature at condenser exit.