Solar desalination with a humidification–dehumidification technique — a comprehensive technical review

Major desalination processes consume a large amount of energy derived from oil and natural gas as heat and electricity. Solar desalination, although researched for over two decades, has only recently emerged as a promising renewable energy-powered technology for producing fresh water. Solar desalination based on the humidification– dehumidification cycle presents the best method of solar desalination due to overall high-energy efficiency. This paper provides a comprehensive technical review of solar desalination with a multi-effect cycle providing a better understanding of the process. Discussion on methods to improve system performance and efficiency paves the way towards possible commercialisation of such units in the future.

A comprehensive review of the solar HD technique and the various desalination units based on this principle has been presented in this study. Solar desalination plants based on this technique have yet to be commercially implemented, and a detailed understanding and compilation of all relevant information of the process is another step in that direction. A detailed review of other desalination processes based on the HD principle would also help in improving Table 1 Studies on closed-air/open-water cycle systems