Numerical and Experimental Performance Evaluation of a Photovoltaic Thermal Integrated Membrane Desalination System

Membrane desalination (MD) is preferred over other techniques since it requires a lower temperature gradient. Its performance can be further enhanced by preheating the intake of saline water. In this context, novel solar-assisted air gap membrane (AGMD) system was hypothesized. The motivation derived from fact that use solar energy to provide power and pre-heating source for water offer sustainable alternative enhance acceptance MD systems. Since panels suffer loss efficiency as they heat up during operation, help improve overall (1) providing necessary pumping operate (2) improving panel exchanging using (3) used pre-heat increased AGMD system. To verify hypothesis, freshwater production theoretically designed, fabricated locally, then tested experimentally. effect process operating parameters ambient conditions on proposed unit presented in detail, both results indicated direct correlation between permeate flux, hot feed temperature, flow rate. addition, an inverse relationship cold rate, thickness module also observed reported, thus, validating hypothesis boost performance.