Kumara Thanaiah*, Degefa Legesse and Veershetty Gumtapure
The present study aimed at assessing the energy and economic analysis of Paddy Grass Based Humidification-Dehumidification Desalination (PHDD) using solar energy. The experimental set up of humidifier and dehumidifier was fabricated keeping the humid climatic conditions of the study area. Theoretical analysis of each component of the system was studied and compared with laboratory results. The performance of PHDD system was evaluated by studying various physical parameters such as solar collector area, reservoir water tank volume, and temperature of water reservoir. The cost benefit analysis of the system was carried out by considering the amount of potable water production with the amount of energy consumed and components cost by comparing with other desalination methods. The results revealed that the irrespective of the paddy grass area, the volume of the storage water tank below and above 40 L is considered as optimal. The cost analysis of the present work proved the system can be functioned with low maintenance cost, when compared to other similar studies and the price of the yield comes around 19$/m3. The solar collector area has a significant influence in augmenting the water yield. The optimal ratio of water reservoir to collector area is found to be around 13 L/m3.
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