Solar Desalination Chimneys

In this study, a design for a solar desalination system comprised of a solar chimney and humidification-dehumidification system is proposed. In a solar desalination chimney, solar energy creates a buoyant hot air flow that passes through the entire system. The wind turbine inside the chimney generates mechanical or electrical energy for pumping water into the desalination unit without additional energy. To investigate the potential of the proposed system, validated one-dimensional models for solar chimney and direct contact packed-bed humidification-dehumidification are used. Three solar chimney configurations are examined for their desalination potential. A solar desalination chimney might be incapable of working due to the pressure drop inside the desalination unit. For Florida and Kerman solar chimneys, results indicate that in regions with abundant solar irradiation autonomous desalination is possible. Desalination analysis shows that a large-scale solar chimney such as Manzanares with modification is capable of providing freshwater for about 800 households; while a small-scale such as Florida with a surface footprint of 66 m² could satisfy the freshwater needs of a household.