Study of PCM Condenser of a Humidification–Dehumidification Desalination System

The phase change materials PCMs are some kind of energy storage which represents a sustainable alternative for reducing energy consumption. The incorporation of PCMs in the condensation process allows the storage and the release of large amounts of energy in the form of heat during the melting and solidification process. The objective of this study is the design of a condensation system with PCM in order to extend the operating time of the condenser and to improve the efficiency of a humidification–dehumidification desalination system. A first study was carried out to select a phase change material (PCM) well adapted to the operating conditions of the desalination system by humidification dehumidification. A eutectic organic PCM mixture (80 wt% paraffin oil + 20 wt% paraffin wax) was chosen. An investigation on the PCM packaging type was carried out, different resins were tested. The packaging resins are showed problems of mechanical resistance and high solubility in water, hence the choice of a copper container which offers the advantages of tightness and good thermal conductivity. Accordingly, an experimental test setup was designed and fabricated to test the performance of the proposed condenser.