20.500.12556/RUL-170833 The potential of waste heat utilization in solar multistage membrane distillation an alternative to PV + RO systems? Solar membrane distillation (MD) is an emerging technology for addressing water scarcity in arid regions with access to terrestrial water bodies. Recent studies highlight that vaporization enthalpy recycling enhances both distillate flux and solar-to-water efficiency. However, due to high material costs, scaling beyond 10 stages under one-sun solar illumination becomes economically unfeasible. A novel waste heat utilization concept for continuous freshwater production is introduced, supported by a generalized Python-based mathematical model and COMSOL Multiphysics simulations that consider simultaneous heat and moisture transfer. The findings highlight the potential of low-grade waste heat to enhance the efficiency of MD processes. With a solar-to-waste heat ratio of 0.4, a 9-stage MD system can match PV + RO water production per exergy use (36.2 L kWh$^{-1}$), while even a 3-stage MD system operating solely on waste heat surpasses PV + RO performance. This highlights the importance of cross-sectoral integration, where polygeneration, water, and electricity production play a key role. Techno-economic analysis indicates that such a system in Spain could achieve a 6-year payback period, reinforcing its potential as a competitive alternative to PV + RO for freshwater production. This work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 7 (SDG-6, SDG-7), promoting clean water, sanitation, and sustainable energy solutions. membrane distillation solar energy photothermal materials water management energy efficiency mathematical model heat and mass transfer COMSOL Multiphysics simulations waste heat utilization solar thermal membrane photothermal membrane thermo-economic analysis membranska destilacija solarna energija fototermalni materiali management voda energetska učinkovitost matematični model prenos toplote in snovi COMSOL Multiphysics simulacije true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2025-07-17 12:50:11 2025-07-17 12:50:18 2026-07-07 14:24:57 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 18 str. art. 119977 Vol. 341 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 621 1879-2227 10.1016/j.enconman.2025.119977 242895619 Poredos_..._Potential.pdf Poredos_..._Potential.pdf 1 4E49859B8B533ECEAFA4D2B6C1065E05 622b4d7276ca10448392820e5ff063c71584c3c1f77ecc1b6c5124d74eac9abc e6eb07b7-62fa-11f0-b232-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=213091 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196890425005011 0 e0ebf2a5-62f9-11f0-b232-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=213088 Fakulteta za strojništvo 0 0 0