Hybrid system of an indirect evaporative air cooler and HDH desalination system assisted by solar energy for remote areas

This paper presents an experimental investigation of a hybrid system of indirect evaporative air cooler and HDH desalination system assisted by solar energy for remote areas. Due to the unavailability of fresh water sources and as a result of rising ambient air temperature in most remote areas, the proposed system is a good option for these remote areas. In order to achieve this goal in remote areas, the practical apparatus proposed in this study consists of two sub-systems: (i) indirect evaporative air cooler with baffles, which can use to human thermal comfort issues, (ii) HDH desalination system assisted by the solar energy, which can use to produce the freshwater. The results of the experimental study showed that the cooling load was ranged between 253.26 and 417.4 W, accumulated distillate water productivity was 38.65 l/day, and the coefficient of performance ranged between 0.214 and 3.49 at the air flow rate of 70 m3/h during the period 8:00 am-6:00 pm. Also, as the secondary air flow rate increases from 60 to 90 m3/h, accumulated distillate water productivity increases from 35.78 to 47.21 l/day, and average daily coefficient of performance increases from 1.78 to 2.256. The proposed system in this study represents an effective and good selection in remote areas.