The Study of a Solar Assisted Heat Pump Desalination System

Abstract

An experimental solar assisted heat pump desalination system was constructed in the National University of Singapore. The system consisted of two main sections, a solar assisted heat pump, and a water distillation section. Experimental and simulation studies have been carried out, and results showed that the system has a performance ratio close to 1.5, and a production rate close to 1 kg/hour. The heat pump has a Coefficient of Performance that is close to 10, with solar collector efficiencies close to 80 and 60% for evaporator and liquid collectors respectively. Comparison of experimental and simulation studies showed a good agreement, and a parametric study was conducted to further examine the performance of the system. Economic analysis showed that to achieve a high production rate while maintaining a low investment cost, a new system, without using liquid solar collector, must be proposed. The new system, at a production rate of 900 l/day, will have a payback period of 3.5 years.