Experimental Characterization and Modelling of a Humidification–Dehumidification (HDH) System Coupled with Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) Modules

Giovanni Picotti (), Riccardo Simonetti, Luca Molinaroli () and Giampaolo Manzolini
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Giovanni Picotti: School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George St., Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Riccardo Simonetti: Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, Via Lambruschini 4, 20156 Milan, Italy
Luca Molinaroli: Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, Via Lambruschini 4, 20156 Milan, Italy
Giampaolo Manzolini: Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, Via Lambruschini 4, 20156 Milan, Italy

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-24

Abstract: Water scarcity is a relevant issue whose impact can be mitigated through sustainable solutions. Humidification–dehumidification (HDH) cycles powered by photovoltaic thermal (PVT) modules enable pure water production in remote areas. In this study, models have been developed and validated for the main components of the system, the humidifier and the dehumidifier. A unique HDH-PVT prototype was built and experimentally tested at the SolarTech Lab of Politecnico di Milano in Milan, Italy. The experimental system is a Closed Air Closed Water—Water Heated (CACW-WH) that mimics a Closed Air Open Water—Water Heated (CAOW-WH) cycle through brine cooling, pure water mixing, and recirculation, avoiding a continuous waste of water. Tests were performed varying the mass flow ratio (MR) between 0.346 and 2.03 during summer and autumn in 2023 and 2024. The experimental results enabled the verification of the developed models. The optimal system performance was obtained for an MR close to 1 and a maximum cycle temperature of 44 ° C , enabling a 0.51 gain output ratio (GOR) and 0.72% recovery ratio (RR). The electrical and thermal energy generation of the PVT modules satisfied the whole consumption of the system enabling pure water production exploiting only the solar resource available. The PVT-HDH system proved the viability of the proposed solution for a sustainable self-sufficient desalination system in remote areas, thus successfully addressing water scarcity issues exploiting a renewable energy source.

Keywords: PVT HDH integration; experimental PVT HDH testing; sustainable desalination; solar powered HDH system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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