Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a PCM-Supported ...
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a PCM-Supported ...
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a PCM-Supported ...
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3 Scope <strong>of</strong> the Study<br />
This chapter presents the features <strong>of</strong> the proposed <strong>PCM</strong>-<strong>Supported</strong> HDH system<br />
under focus <strong>of</strong> the present study. The predicted phenomena <strong>of</strong> multi-effect <strong>of</strong><br />
heating/humidification (MEHH) in the evaporator <strong>and</strong> multi-effect <strong>of</strong><br />
cooling/dehumidification (MECD) in the condenser are illustrated. The scope,<br />
objectives <strong>of</strong> the study, <strong>and</strong> the adopted methodology will be presented.<br />
3.1 Scope <strong>of</strong> the study<br />
As reported in the literature, thermal energy storage plays an important role in<br />
securing a high thermal performance <strong>of</strong> solar driven desalination units. A new<br />
approach in this context is the use <strong>of</strong> encapsulated phase change material (<strong>PCM</strong>) as<br />
packing media both in the evaporator <strong>and</strong> condenser while consequently applying<br />
free or forced convection. In the present study, an HDH system with fully integrated<br />
packed bed phase change regenerators in both evaporator <strong>and</strong> condenser has been<br />
proposed.<br />
Moreover, a solar thermal power supply consists <strong>of</strong> a solar collector <strong>and</strong> an external<br />
thermal storage is used to drive the HDH plant. The thermal storage is accomplished<br />
by storing to <strong>PCM</strong> with melting point around the required output temperature to<br />
guarantee 24 hours <strong>of</strong> operation. The <strong>PCM</strong> elements will be integrated in the hot<br />
water storage tank in order to reduce storage tank volume, cost, <strong>and</strong> heat losses.<br />
The main objective <strong>of</strong> using <strong>PCM</strong> elements in the evaporator <strong>and</strong> condenser was for<br />
heat storage as a backup during transient solar irradiation behavior for part-time<br />
night operation <strong>and</strong> cloudy hours. During analysis <strong>of</strong> steady state conditions, it was<br />
discovered that multiple-effects <strong>of</strong> heating/humidification (MEHH) <strong>and</strong> cooling/<br />
dehumidification (MECD) while air passing through the successive <strong>PCM</strong> layers in the<br />
evaporator <strong>and</strong> condenser respectively seem to play an important role in system<br />
efficiency. The multiple-effects phenomena are attributed to existence <strong>of</strong> conductive<br />
packing media which act as heat <strong>and</strong> mass exchangers in the two columns. Thus,<br />
the focus <strong>of</strong> the study lies on the thermal conductivity rather than the thermal<br />
capacity or solid-liquid phase change processes <strong>of</strong> the packing. However, these<br />
interesting phenomena will be discussed in detail in the next sections <strong>and</strong> throughout<br />
the experimental <strong>and</strong> numerical analysis in the next chapters.<br />
3.2 Proposed system <strong>and</strong> operation cycle<br />
The operation cycle <strong>and</strong> flow diagram <strong>of</strong> the proposed system <strong>and</strong> its processes is<br />
illustrated schematically in figure (3.1). The plant configuration comprises three<br />
closed loops; the air loop, the hot water loop, <strong>and</strong> the cooling water loop. Hot water<br />
is sprayed into the top <strong>of</strong> the evaporation tower to form a thin liquid film over the<br />
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