Humidification-dehumidification desalination system using hollow fibre membranes

The ability of many nations to sustain fresh water supply is strained due to the increased population growth and population density. Hence water desalination of sea or brackish water presents a sustainable solution to tackle the issue of increase in demand for fresh water. This article experimentally investigate water desalination, using humidification-dehumidification process. In this process, air is humidified using saline water and the subsequent condensation of the humid air at normal atmospheric pressure produces freshwater. Hollow fibre membrane bundles are employed in the humidification chamber, to humidify the air. The humidified air is cooled resulting in condensation of the water vapour to obtain distilled water using shell and tube heat exchanger. The purpose of the investigation is to assess the ability of the hollow fibre membrane to humidify the incoming air and to optimise the rate of air and water flow rates, in the humidification and dehumidification chambers.