ABSTRACT
In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the combination: flat plate solar
collectors, a single effect heat transformer and desalination system used to provide a
seaside house with drinking water. Mathematical models of the solar flat plate collectors
(FPC), absorption heat transformer (AHT) operating with the H2O-LiBr solution and the
overall desalination system (WP) were developed to simulate the performance of this
combination system. The energy and exergy analysis is carried out for each
component of the system. All exergy losses that exist in this solar desalination system
are calculated. Energy and exergy efficiencies are estimated.
The energy efficiency of WP is higher then that for FPC and AHT. An acceptable
thermal efficiency of 0.62 is obtained. From the view point of energy the combination
FPC-AHT for desalination is an interesting system. Considering the overall desalination
plant, the FPC is the component in which the highest exergy loss is generated.
Exergetic efficiency of AHT increases slightly with an increase in the time of day. The
daily exergetic efficiency of WP is higher then that for FPC and lower than that for
AHT. An average value of exergetic efficiency of WP is 0.124. This small value of the
exergetic efficiency of FPC is due to the important amount of exergy destructed in FPC.
From the view point of exergy analysis and excluding the effect of exergy destructed in
the FPC the combination FPC-AHT for desalination is an interesting system.