Design And Electrical Diagrams Of The Electrical System Of Desalination Plant

The escalating challenges posed by environmental pollution and population growth have thrust many nations into grappling with acute water scarcity issues. Presently, it is estimated that over four billion individuals endure conditions of water stress, with numerous distressing scenarios already unfolding despite incomplete data. Water desalination emerges as a promising avenue to address this predicament, bolstered by a myriad of technological advancements. These technologies can be broadly categorized into active and passive systems, distinguished by the presence or absence of external mechanical components driving the desalination process. Both modalities rely on external energy sources, often sourced from renewable outlets, to propel the desalination process forward. The primary objective of this thesis is to scrutinize and compare two distinct configurations of Membrane Distillation (MD)-based desalination technologies: an active plant and a passive device. The former, a Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD) process-based plant, harnesses solar energy through integrated solar collectors and a heat storage tank. Utilizing Simulink software, the performance of this plant is rigorously investigated. Conversely, the latter configuration entails a passive solar-driven multi-stage device capable of harnessing latent heat from the process. The thesis is structured into several sections. The introduction provides an overview of the prevailing desalination technologies. Subsequent sections delve into the active and passive configurations of MD-based technology. The active plant model is meticulously dissected, encompassing the underlying physics of the process and the computational language employed. Similarly, the passive configuration is introduced, detailing the design and prototyping of the device in accordance with the Oman Humanitarian Desalination Challenge (OHDC) guidelines, which stipulate a minimum daily production of 3 Liters. Preliminary experimental campaigns, alongside numerical simulations conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics software, are undertaken to evaluate the performance of the passive device. The findings from experimental and modelling endeavors are elucidated, compared, and analyzed. Additionally, a comprehensive comparison between the active and passive configurations is delineated, encompassing economic and energy considerations, to identify their relative strengths, weaknesses, and most suitable applications. In conclusion, avenues for future enhancements and refinements of the presented work are outlined, underscoring the continuous quest for innovation in addressing global water scarcity challenges. Keywords: Desalination technologies, Active and passive desalination, Membrane Distillation (MD), Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD), Solar-driven desalination, Economic analysis, Sustainable water solutions