Optimized Water Supply in a Solar Evaporator for Simultaneous Freshwater Production and Salt Recycle

Zhi Yang, Dawei Li, Kaijie Yang, Lei Chen, Jian Wang, Xiaoying Zhu, Baoliang Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Solar desalination has shown great potential in alleviating global water scarcity. However, the trade-off between energy efficiency and salt rejection remains a challenge, restricting its practical applications. In this study, we report a three-dimensional nitrocellulose membrane-based evaporator featuring a high evaporation rate (1.5 kg m–2 h–1) and efficient salt precipitation at the edges. Additionally, the salt is isolated from the photothermal area of the evaporator and falls automatically with a salt recovery rate of 97 g m–2 h–1 in brine with 10 wt % salt content. The distinctive performance is attributed to the precise water supply control, which was adjusted by changing the resistance force and driven force in the evaporator. With a high evaporation rate, stable performance, and specific salt recovery ability, this solar evaporation structure holds great potential in water desalination and resource recovery.
Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 22 2023

Bibliographical note

KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2023-08-31
Acknowledgements: This project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22136004 and 21621005) and the National Key Technology Research and Development Program of China (2018YFC1800705).

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • General Chemistry

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