Modeling of a desalination unit by evaporation coupled with solar thermal energy

Abstract

This work aims to develop a dynamic phenomenological model of a solar thermal desalination system operating via atmospheric pressure evaporation, designed for isolated regions with water scarcity. A system of differential equations was formulated to describe the mass and energy balance and evaluate heat and mass transfer phenomena. The model simulation was performed in Python to analyze the behavior of variables in the desalination process, such as water level, salt concentration, temperature, and desalinated water production. The results show that it is possible to evaporate 26.67% of the salt water supplied within one hour. In addition, it assessed the condensation capacity, in which all the steam was condensed. The study stands out for its sustainable approach, integrating solar thermal energy and its operational simplicity, making it suitable for remote locations.