Hybrid solar energy/desalination using spectrally selective membrane distillation

Bryan Kinzer, Kirk Smith, Todd Otanicar

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

In recent years, direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) has been shown to be more effective for desalination of high-salinity feed streams compared to the more conventional reverse osmosis process. DCMD works by utilizing the vapor pressure difference between a heated feed stream and a colder permeate stream to drive water vapor from the feed side to the permeate side. A noted way of increasing the temperature gradient between the two sides and/or adding heat to the feed side is to directly expose the membrane to solar flux. One approach for absorbing energy within the membrane is through the addition of solar absorbing nanoparticles. While bulk solar absorption can be achieved easily with carbon or graphite, it is also possible to add nanoparticles that selectively absorb limited portions of the solar spectrum. By combining a selective nanoparticle membrane in conjunction with a photovoltaic (PV) cell, it is possible to hybridize water desalination and electrical energy production. The nanoparticles absorb photons below the PV bandgap, decreasing the PV operating temperature, while still permitting power generation. In this paper a hybrid PV-DCMD system is simulated. Results indicate that such a system can supply significant amounts of water flux although increases in water flux must be balanced with decreases in electric energy production.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7643-7650
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Heat Transfer Conference
Volume2018-August
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018
Event16th International Heat Transfer Conference, IHTC 2018 - Beijing, China
Duration: 10 Aug 201815 Aug 2018

Keywords

  • Desalination
  • Mass transfer
  • Nanoparticles
  • Solar energy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hybrid solar energy/desalination using spectrally selective membrane distillation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this