Integration of vacuum multi-effect membrane distillation with adsorption/cooling system

This paper addresses the integration of vacuum multi-effect membrane distillation (VMEMD) with adsorption (AD) unit using metal organic frameworks (MOF) adsorbent material to produce potable water and cooling water. VMEMD is a combination of the two concepts of vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) and multi-effect distillation (MED), where permeate side is vacuumed yielding lower vapour pressure than in the feed side thus generating the distillation process. Such technology can effectively exploit the vacuum conditions associated with the adsorption process yielding higher potable water production rates. The AD unit is a heat-driven technology that can be used to generate potable water and cooling through adsorption / desorption of water vapour by a porous adsorbent material. Metal Organic Framework (MOF) is a new class of porous material with high surface area (up to 5500m2/g), superior adsorption characteristics and large porosity. Aluminium Fumarate is an MOF material that was shown to have water vapour adsorption characteristics superior to those of silica gel and zeolite. The CPO-27(Ni) was found to be more suitable for applications working at a low evaporation temperature (5°C) and high regeneration temperature (≥90°C), while aluminum fumarate showed a superior performance at a higher evaporation temperature (20°C) and low regeneration temperature (70°C).