Combined cooling and water production using a waste heat activated adsorption system

• Main Author: Lee, Zheng Long.
• Other Authors: Leong Kai Choong
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/53539
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Desalination, other than the natural water cycle, is considered to be one of the solutions to the world’s water shortage in many water stressed countries. However, the main disadvantage of desalination is the large energy consumption and pollution generated. Adsorption desalination (AD) is an emerging low cost method of desalination which utilises waste heat. It is a process which is pollution free. With only one heat input, the AD cycle is able to generate two useful processes cooling and fresh water generation. This report presents the design process of an AD plant in Nanyang Technological University. The criteria were first accessed to determine the necessary equipment needed. Next, flow design was done to find the best fit for the AD plant to achieve the best efficiency by adding a heat recovery system. Design calculations were made determine the amount of silica gel needed to maximise the system followed by sizing of the adsober beds, evaporators and condenser and other equipment. The detailed designs for the individual equipment were done using solid works. Finally, the whole system were then designed to fit within the space provided with additional consideration on safety, maintenance, compactness and costing. Further calculations were done to verify the system and design calculations were done on addition equipment like centrifugal pumps to find the best fit for the system.