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An integrated solar-powered desalination system incorporating adsorption-vapor compression and nanofiltration technologies (SOLAR-NF-ADVC)

Author

Listed:
  • Farahat, Mohamed A.
  • Abdelhay, Ayman O.
  • Fath, Hassan E.S.
  • Ahmed, Mahmoud

Abstract

Developing cost-effective, sustainable desalination systems fully powered by solar energy is crucial for supplying freshwater to off-grid and resource-limited regions. This study proposes and analyses an integrated solar-driven desalination system that combines nanofiltration (NF) pretreatment, adsorption-based vapor compression (ADVC), and photovoltaic/parabolic-trough (PV/PTC) solar energy, hereafter termed a solar-powered nanofiltration–adsorption–vapor compression desalination system (SOLAR-NF-ADVC). NF membranes reduce feedwater salinity and scaling risk, enabling the ADVC evaporator to operate near atmospheric pressure, which lowers equipment complexity and cost the system powered entirely by solar electricity and heat: PV modules drive pumps and controls, while a PTC loop regenerates the adsorption beds. A comprehensive steady-state model performs energy, exergy, and techno-economic analyses for a 500 m3 day−1 plant under different operating conditions, including two zeolite adsorbents and the presence/absence of a heat-recovery cycle between adsorption beds. Results show that regeneration temperature and product–brine temperature difference strongly influence gain output ratio (GOR), second-law efficiency, and unit water price (UWP). The proposed single-effect system achieves GOR = 0.65, second-law efficiency = 11.3 %, and UWP = 1.91 US$ m−3 while remaining fully solar-driven. These findings highlight a practical pathway to simple, low-cost, solar desalination for remote or decentralized applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Farahat, Mohamed A. & Abdelhay, Ayman O. & Fath, Hassan E.S. & Ahmed, Mahmoud, 2026. "An integrated solar-powered desalination system incorporating adsorption-vapor compression and nanofiltration technologies (SOLAR-NF-ADVC)," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:261:y:2026:i:c:s0960148126000352
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2026.125210
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