Solar-driven humidification dehumidification desalination for potable use in Haiti
Name
708356574-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
11.17 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
153a3df3675eeb5cccb2a24a30569078
Author(s)
Liburd, Shannon Omari
Advisor(s)
John H. Lienhard, V.
Alternative Title
Solar-driven HDH desalination for potable use in Haiti
Date Issued
2010
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Worldwide water scarcity, especially in the developing world, provides the impetus for utilizing inexpensive desalination technologies on a wider scale to contribute to freshwater supply. Small-scale desalination technologies, such as solar-driven humidification dehumidification (HDH), are needed to help provide clean drinking water to people living in coastal areas. This thesis explores the question of whether the fills used in the humidifier of the HDH system, which allow for increased contact area between the water and air streams, can be made of locally available materials such as charcoal, bamboo, and louffa found in Haiti. It also addresses how the institutional, economic, social and technological barriers to successful deployment of renewable energy (RE) desalination technologies such as HDH can be overcome. Charcoal, louffa and bamboo custom fills were experimentally tested in a benchtop cooling tower to determine their suitability for use in the humidifier of a HDH system. The fills' transfer characteristics and pressure drop data were obtained and analyzed to determine the overall fill performance in terms of fan power consumption. The lower the fan power consumption required by the fill, the better the fill performance. The performances of the custom fills were compared with each other and with two commercial thin film fills. The louffa fill performed the best among the custom fills, having power consumption 2.9 and 4.4 times less than the charcoal and bamboo fills, respectively. The louffa fill is therefore recommended for use in the humidifier. To help overcome the barriers facing RE desalination policy and implementation, several strategies are recommended: a decentralized regulatory system for water supply, public-private financial arrangements and supporting policies; market analysis of prospective RE desalination systems, targeted R&D to make improved system components and a community platform for the various stakeholders to work together. Most importantly, the general public must be engaged throughout the entire process to foster transparency, community trust and public acceptance of the desalination technology.
Description
Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2010.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 108-112).
Subjects
Engineering Systems Division.
Technology and Policy Program.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division
Technology and Policy Program
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