Estimation of the performance of a desalination system based on sorption phenomena driven by solar thermal energy

Nowadays, adsorption desalination is one of the most attractive methods to obtain fresh and potable water, especially because it is environmental-friendly and economically, compared to the other desalting systems. In this thesis work, a desalination system based on sorption phenomena driven by solar thermal energy is investigated, in order to evaluate its performance and how to optimize them. The study of the plant under examination is divided into three macro-blocks: the first one is based on the solar technology; the second one is the environment-block that is focused on the evaporation temperature evaluation; the last one includes the major components such as the adsorbent bed, the evaporator and the condenser. Hence, a thermal and mass transfer numerical and mathematical model has been carried out. The purposes of producing distilled water, having a thermochemical storage and, finally, obtaining a cooling effect (similar to a heat pump able to set off a water purification treatment) can be reached simultaneously. The performance of the cycle have been calculated basically in terms of mass of fresh water generated after the desorption process and coefficient of performance, including the cooling effect at the evaporator. Subsequently, the results have been finally discussed.