Energy self-sustainable operation of solar-powered pressure-retarded membrane distillation: Modeling, implementation viability, and economic feasibility study

Abstract

Pressure-retarded membrane distillation (PRMD) utilizes low-grade thermal energy to produce water and energy simultaneously, particularly when coupled with solar energy, making it a self-sustainable system without external electricity. This study elucidates an implementation viability and economic feasibility of solar-powered PRMD, suggesting a self-sustainable brackish water desalination system for remote areas. Solar collector model considered various parameters to calculate solar radiation and determine the optimal inclination and surface areas for different latitudes. The optimal inclination and surface areas were determined for regions such as Pontianak (1° inclination, 63 m2), Hanoi (19° inclination, 65 m2), Toulouse (38° inclination, 67 m2), and Copenhagen (45° inclination, 71 m2). Evaluating water production based on the solar collector area, the levelized cost of water and levelized cost of energy were calculated for each region. Among the four regions, the latitude 20° area is the most suitable for operating a self-sustainable solar-powered PRMD system. It boasts of the highest average net energy throughout the year and sufficient water production across all four seasons. In Hanoi, the PRMD achieves a water flux of 7.59 kg/h m2 and specific energy generation of 0.434 kWh/m3. These results demonstrated the competitiveness and potential of PRMD as an self-sustainable inland desalination system.