The potential of waste heat utilization in solar multistage membrane distillation : an alternative to PV + RO systems?

Poredoš, Primož (avtor), Gao, Jintong (avtor), Ali, Abdallah Yousef Mohammed (avtor), Shan, He (avtor), Xu, Zhenyuan (avtor), Zavrl, Eva (avtor), Žižak, Tej (avtor), Trajkovski, Dejan (avtor), Arkar, Ciril (avtor), Wang, Ruzhu (avtor)

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.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: membranska destilacija, solarna energija, fototermalni materiali, management voda, energetska učinkovitost, matematični model, prenos toplote in snovi, COMSOL Multiphysics simulacije
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: FS - Fakulteta za strojništvo
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2025
• Št. strani: 18 str.
• Številčenje: Vol. 341, art. 119977
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-170833
• UDK: 621
• ISSN pri članku: 1879-2227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2025.119977
• COBISS.SI-ID: 242895619
• Datum objave v RUL: 17.07.2025

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Energy conversion and management
• Založnik: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1879-2227
• COBISS.SI-ID: 23208709

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: membrane distillation, solar energy, photothermal materials, water management, energy efficiency, mathematical model, heat and mass transfer, COMSOL Multiphysics simulations