Abstract
Decarbonizing desalination systems requires combining renewable energy technologies with desalination systems. Solar thermal desalination, which combines a thermal desalination system (e.g., distillation, multistage flash, etc.) with a concentrated solar system is attractive in geographic regions with an abundance of saline water and solar energy. However, the high economic cost and low efficiency limits its adoption. This review provides an overview of the techno-economic, materials, and performance challenges that need to be overcome to realize solar-desalination. The review describes the four most prominent pathways for overcoming thermodynamic and cost limitations present in current systems. Specifically, methodologies and approaches such as direct solar evaporation structures, low-cost thermal energy storage, solar cogeneration schemes for power and desalination, and solar hybrid desalination are discussed. These strategies can enable solar thermal desalination technologies that are resilient to intermittent solar energy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1055-1082 |
Number of pages | 28 |
Journal | ACS ES and T Engineering |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 11 2023 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous)
- Environmental Chemistry
- Process Chemistry and Technology
- Chemical Health and Safety
Keywords
- Desalination
- Solar
- Thermal Energy