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Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a PCM-Supported ...

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using a conductive filling media to achieve multiple-effects <strong>of</strong> heating/humidification<br />

(MEHH) <strong>and</strong> cooling/dehumidification (MECD) while air passing through the<br />

successive <strong>PCM</strong> layers in the evaporator <strong>and</strong> condenser respectively. These<br />

phenomena are foreseen to enhance the heat <strong>and</strong> mass exchange processes <strong>and</strong><br />

will be described in detail <strong>and</strong> focused throughout the present analysis.<br />

The study has been accomplished through comprehensive experimental <strong>and</strong><br />

numerical investigations on the <strong>PCM</strong>-supported HDH system. A mixed micro-macro<br />

balance transient simulation model has been established <strong>and</strong> validated against<br />

experimental measurements using COMSOL Multiphysics <strong>and</strong> MATLAB for solving<br />

fluid flow <strong>and</strong> heat <strong>and</strong> mass transfer phenomena in one spatial dimension for<br />

different components in such a loop. The model is fairly general <strong>and</strong> simple, yet<br />

sufficiently accurate to be applied as a design <strong>and</strong> optimization tool for HDH plants<br />

integrated with different types <strong>of</strong> packing materials <strong>and</strong> external thermal storage<br />

systems. Using both experimental <strong>and</strong> simulation tools, a detailed heat <strong>and</strong> mass<br />

transfer analysis for the performance <strong>of</strong> the evaporator <strong>and</strong> condenser over a wide<br />

range <strong>of</strong> operation conditions under steady state has been performed <strong>and</strong> clearly<br />

documented using different types <strong>of</strong> packing materials.<br />

The dynamic performance <strong>of</strong> the <strong>PCM</strong>-supported HDH system over a wide range <strong>of</strong><br />

operation conditions will be presented <strong>and</strong> analyzed on a macro-scale level under<br />

varying weather conditions over one year for Al-Arish City on the eastern north coast<br />

<strong>of</strong> Egypt. The analysis will focus on the optimum operation conditions <strong>of</strong> the system<br />

with <strong>and</strong> without external <strong>PCM</strong> thermal buffer. Special attention shall be paid to the<br />

effect <strong>of</strong> climatic conditions <strong>and</strong> comparison between <strong>PCM</strong> <strong>and</strong> water as storage<br />

media in the external thermal storage.<br />

1.6 Dissertation Overview<br />

The dissertation contains 9 main chapters. Chapter 2 presents the state <strong>of</strong> the art <strong>of</strong><br />

solar desalination by HDH technique, <strong>and</strong> thermal energy storage methods <strong>and</strong><br />

media. In chapter 3 the proposed HDH system is introduced <strong>and</strong> scope <strong>of</strong> the<br />

present work is outlined. Chapter 4 discusses the theoretical background, underlying<br />

physics <strong>of</strong> the proposed system components, <strong>and</strong> mathematical modeling<br />

development for individual components <strong>and</strong> for the HDH system as a whole.<br />

Chapter 5 discusses the experimental results <strong>and</strong> analysis <strong>of</strong> the <strong>PCM</strong>-supported<br />

HDH cycle. The chapter 6 deals with the numerical simulation <strong>and</strong> validation <strong>of</strong><br />

single components models as well as the HDH cycle. In Chapter 7 the simulation<br />

results <strong>and</strong> parametric analysis <strong>of</strong> the main single components (i.e. the evaporator<br />

<strong>and</strong> condenser) are discussed. Chapter 8 focuses on the numerical optimization <strong>of</strong><br />

the HDHD system as a whole including the solar collector field <strong>and</strong> the external <strong>PCM</strong><br />

thermal energy storage. Finally, chapter 9 summarizes <strong>and</strong> concludes the study<br />

activities <strong>and</strong> proposes future work needed for improving <strong>and</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> the<br />

proposed system.<br />

12

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