Title: Exergy and economic analysis of direct contact membrane distillation assisted by solar vapour absorption refrigeration system

Authors: Emad Ali

Addresses: Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: The integration of membrane distillation (MD) with solar-assisted vapour absorption refrigeration (VAR) is investigated. The MD circulation rate showed a negative impact on irreversibility up to a flow rate of 600 kg/h after which the exergy losses reduced gradually. At a feed flow rate of 600 kg/h, a maximum irreversibility of 5.9 kW and a minimum exergy efficiency of 34.2% are obtained. The enlargement of the solar collector area typified considerable adverse influence on the destroyed work. However, the exergy efficiency exhibits a minimum of 46% at A_c = 60 m² afterward a continuous improvement is observed. Economic analysis delineates that the levelised water cost can be reduced to 8 $/m³ using the hybrid system.

Keywords: water desalination; membrane distillation; solar energy; absorption chiller; exergy; economics; vapour absorption refrigeration; VAR.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2025.146801

International Journal of Exergy, 2025 Vol.47 No.2, pp.153 - 178

Received: 16 Sep 2024
Accepted: 16 Dec 2024
Published online: 18 Jun 2025 *

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