Abstract
A new process configuration for efficient utilization of solar energy for simultaneous production of potable water and electricity is presented. The proposed configuration incorporates photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) collectors to produce electricity and to collect thermal energy, which is used to drive a low temperature phase-change desalination process to produce potable water. This configuration takes advantage of the fact that PVT collectors operating at lower temperatures are more efficient than the traditional PV panels; and low temperature phase-change desalination processes are more efficient than the traditional ones. Results from the theoretical analysis and mathematical modeling of the integrated system show that the PVT area of 30 m2 with a cooling mass flow rate of 40-50 kg/hm2 is adequate to supply the electricity (16-18 kWh) and freshwater needs (120 L) of a household of four. A case study was conducted to study the annual performance of the integrated system to provide the needs of the freshwater and electricity. Based on the economic analysis, additional costs incurred to modify an existing PV system will result in freshwater costs of 12.9$/m3 which is acceptable for small scale desalination systems.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 129-140 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Desalination and Water Treatment |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue number | 1-3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Desalination
- Electricity
- Photovoltaic thermal collectors
- Renewable energy
- Solar energy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pollution
- Water Science and Technology
- Ocean Engineering
Cite this
Integrated PV-thermal system for desalination and power production. / Gude, Veera Gnaneswar; Nirmalakhandan, Nagamany; Deng, Shuguang.
In: Desalination and Water Treatment, Vol. 36, No. 1-3, 2011, p. 129-140.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Integrated PV-thermal system for desalination and power production
AU - Gude, Veera Gnaneswar
AU - Nirmalakhandan, Nagamany
AU - Deng, Shuguang
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - A new process configuration for efficient utilization of solar energy for simultaneous production of potable water and electricity is presented. The proposed configuration incorporates photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) collectors to produce electricity and to collect thermal energy, which is used to drive a low temperature phase-change desalination process to produce potable water. This configuration takes advantage of the fact that PVT collectors operating at lower temperatures are more efficient than the traditional PV panels; and low temperature phase-change desalination processes are more efficient than the traditional ones. Results from the theoretical analysis and mathematical modeling of the integrated system show that the PVT area of 30 m2 with a cooling mass flow rate of 40-50 kg/hm2 is adequate to supply the electricity (16-18 kWh) and freshwater needs (120 L) of a household of four. A case study was conducted to study the annual performance of the integrated system to provide the needs of the freshwater and electricity. Based on the economic analysis, additional costs incurred to modify an existing PV system will result in freshwater costs of 12.9$/m3 which is acceptable for small scale desalination systems.
AB - A new process configuration for efficient utilization of solar energy for simultaneous production of potable water and electricity is presented. The proposed configuration incorporates photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) collectors to produce electricity and to collect thermal energy, which is used to drive a low temperature phase-change desalination process to produce potable water. This configuration takes advantage of the fact that PVT collectors operating at lower temperatures are more efficient than the traditional PV panels; and low temperature phase-change desalination processes are more efficient than the traditional ones. Results from the theoretical analysis and mathematical modeling of the integrated system show that the PVT area of 30 m2 with a cooling mass flow rate of 40-50 kg/hm2 is adequate to supply the electricity (16-18 kWh) and freshwater needs (120 L) of a household of four. A case study was conducted to study the annual performance of the integrated system to provide the needs of the freshwater and electricity. Based on the economic analysis, additional costs incurred to modify an existing PV system will result in freshwater costs of 12.9$/m3 which is acceptable for small scale desalination systems.
KW - Desalination
KW - Electricity
KW - Photovoltaic thermal collectors
KW - Renewable energy
KW - Solar energy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=83155164703&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=83155164703&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.5004/dwt.2011.2231
DO - 10.5004/dwt.2011.2231
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:83155164703
VL - 36
SP - 129
EP - 140
JO - Desalination and Water Treatment
JF - Desalination and Water Treatment
SN - 1944-3994
IS - 1-3
ER -