A. Ekbatani, B. Mostajeran Goortani, M. Karbalaei, Performance Enhancement of Photo-voltaic Module U

REF: I. Alhajri, B.M.Goortani, Concentrated Solar Thermal Cogeneration: A Promising Source of Energy for Zero Liquid Discharge Sea Water Desalination in the Middle East, Desalination and Water Treatment, 226, pp.1-8, (2021) 

Abstract: 

There exist processes for sea water desalination, which also require heat and power generation. Solar thermal technologies can be applied directly as a heat source or indirectly to produce high-pressure steam, generating both heat and electrical energy. This study addresses the design and development of water desalination technologies in the Middle East, taking into account its unique geographic and weather conditions. Utilizing Reverse Osmosis in conjunction with thermal methods is employed to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with conventional desalination methods, such as the emission of greenhouse gases and the discharge of saline water back into the sea. A design procedure is outlined to calculate the equipment size and process parameters for a concentrated solar thermal cogeneration and desalination plant that achieves zero liquid discharge. The available hourly solar irradiance data in Kuwait are applied directly in this design case study. Based on the minimum available solar fuel on the first day of winter, a total reflector surface area of 2,670,000 m² in the desalination plant is calculated, with a production capacity of 400,000 m³/day for winter and 865,000 m³/day for summer, alongside a total heat storage of 85,500 tons of molten salt. This research contributes to the growing body of desalination publications focused on innovative and sustainable solutions in the region. 

Keywords: Desalination; solar thermal; cogeneration; solar irradiance; design