Analysis of a humidification-dehumidification desalination system based on indirect evaporative cooling driven by waste heat recovery

In this work, a configuration of a Humidification-Dehumidification (HDH) Desalination system based on the utilisation of an Indirect Evaporative Cooler (IEC) as an air humidifier and driven by the recovery of waste heat is presented and analysed. The IEC is here employed as an efficient humidifier. The heating capacity to enhance humidification is obtained by the recovery of residual thermal fluxes and the cooling capacity could be obtained directly by the seawater. Two versions of the scheme, closed on the air side, are shown. The cycle is theoretically presented, modelled through data from available commercial devices and subjected to simulations. At best operative conditions RWA (water recovery) of 15.4∙10-6 and SECel (electric consumption) of 16.2 kWh/m3 have been obtained for both versions, with version 2 exhibiting a better SECth (thermal consumption) equal to 829.5 kWh/m3. The results lead to consider these proposals as competitive in the field of HDH desalination.