Experimental and theoretical energy and exergy analysis for a solar desalination system

•The model presented here well predicts the predictions of a solar desalination system.•Large exergy efficiency is observed for the solar desalination system.•The overall exergy efficiency is decreased with an increasing length of the humidification tower.•Higher than a certain value for length tower, there is no further decrease in exergy efficiency.•Exergy efficiency increases by decreasing inlet air temperature, and increasing tower diameter.

This study presents an experimental and theoretical energy and exergy analysis for a solar desalination system consisting of a solar collector and a humidification tower. A mathematical model is developed and the air and water characteristics across the collector and the humidification tower are predicted. The model is verified against measured data for air temperature, water temperature, and air humidity. The results indicate the high exergy efficiency of the solar desalination system. The overall exergy efficiency increases by a decrease in humidification tower length, a decrease in inlet air temperature, and an increase in tower diameter.