ABSTRACT

A numerical analysis of direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD), coupled with the solar collector for optimum performance is carried out. The working model of the system is defined mathematically, and numerical simulation is carried out for the same model. Nanofluid-based direct absorption solar collector (DASC) is used to heat water to the required feed temperature before it enters the DCMD. The presence of nanoparticles within the solar collector increases the absorption of incident solar irradiation compared to pure water. Various input parameters of module design such as depth of flow channel, and operating conditions like flow rate of feed, and membrane properties are varied to determine the optimum operating condition. Balancing the DCMD by keeping equal mass flowrate of feed and permeate in the membrane module (counter-current flow), recovering the waste permeate heat is performed. Results show that by flowrate balancing, there was a 15-30% increase in the performance of membrane distillation.