Experimental study of a cascade solar still coupled with a humidification–dehumidification system

• We investigate coupling of a cascade solar still with a humidification–dehumidification system.
• The effects of different operating conditions on thermal performance were studied.
• Temperature and flow rate of feed water as well as air process flow rate had undeniable effects on the productivity.
• Coupling several CSS systems with just one HD system to maximize the productivity.
• Enhancing daily productivity of coupling system from 28% to 141% for 40–150 ml/min flow rates, respectively.

In this study, coupling of a cascade solar still with a humidification–dehumidification system was investigated experimentally under the climatological conditions of Zahedan (Latitude: 29.49, Longitude: 60.87), Iran. The inclined solar stills produce distillated and hot water simultaneously. In addition, the effects of different operating conditions and configurations on thermal performance and productivity of the solar system were studied. The effect of feed water and air flow rates on the daily productivity of HD system in different conditions such as feed water temperature has been investigated. The daily productivity of cascade solar still with and without HD system at different flow rates is investigated. Moreover, the end result of assembling the HD system with a cascade solar still was studied. The daily productivity of the system increases from 28% to 141% in the presence of humidification–dehumidification system. It also improves the thermal efficiency from 9% to 20% after using 40–150 ml/min of flow rate, respectively. The maximum productivity and efficiency were 5.4 kg/m2 day and 39% for minimum flow rate.

In this study, coupling of a cascade solar still with a humidification–dehumidification system investigated experimentally. In addition, the effects of different operating conditions and configurations on thermal performance and productivity of the under investigation solar system were studied.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide