Dynamic model for the optimisation of adsorption-based desalination processes

作者：Wu Jun W; Biggs Mark J; Hu Eric J^*

来源：Applied Thermal Engineering, 2014, 66(1-2): 464-473.

DOI：10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2014.02.045

• Desalination
• Silica gel
• Temperature swing adsorption
• Process optimization

Climate change is leading to an increasing interest in desalination, particularly methods such as adsorption-based desalination (AD), which uses waste heat to co-generate cooling and fresh water from saline water. In this paper, a one-dimensional dynamic mathematical model of an AD system that incorporates transient mass and heat transfer processes in the stream-wise direction of the adsorbent bed is developed, validated and then demonstrated. The model compares well with both adsorbent temperature distributions and water production profiles obtained experimentally by the authors, with small deviations being linked to a number of assumptions including the omission of sorption hysteresis and multi-dimensional transport effects. The validated model indicates that the specific water production rate varies with the cycle time in a complex non-monotonic way, leading to an optimal cycle time for a finite period of operation. The model provides a good basis for optimising AD technology and processes.

• 出版日期2014-5