Efficient passive solar desalination using cooling tower integration and thermal insulation
Abstract Freshwater scarcity remains a critical global issue, particularly in arid regions with inadequate infrastructure. In this study, a passive, solar-powered desalination system was designed and evaluated for continuous freshwater production without reliance on fossil fuels or external electric...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09769-3 |
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| author | Mehdi Bakhtiarzadeh Reza Effatnejad Kambiz Rezapour |
| author_facet | Mehdi Bakhtiarzadeh Reza Effatnejad Kambiz Rezapour |
| author_sort | Mehdi Bakhtiarzadeh |
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| description | Abstract Freshwater scarcity remains a critical global issue, particularly in arid regions with inadequate infrastructure. In this study, a passive, solar-powered desalination system was designed and evaluated for continuous freshwater production without reliance on fossil fuels or external electricity sources. The system integrates a solar water heater, a thermally insulated evaporation chamber, and a spiral condenser coil linked to a water-based cooling tower, enhancing daytime and nighttime water recovery. This innovation achieves higher efficiency with minimal operational cost, demonstrating significant potential for deployment in water-stressed regions. Field tests conducted in Tehran, Iran, during August and September 2023 showed a substantial increase in daily water output following the integration of the cooling tower—from 3018 to 6978 mL in August and from 2409 to 7016 mL in September—representing gains of 286.82 and 231.21%, respectively (p < 0.0001). The device also sustained overnight water production due to effective thermal insulation, yielding 1936 ± 51.55 mL of distilled water after sunset. Water quality analysis confirmed the removal of toxic elements while retaining essential minerals within safe limits. The system’s embodied carbon footprint was estimated at 0.139 kg CO2 per liter of water produced, with zero operational emissions. Economic analysis indicated a cost of 0.526 USD/L in the first year, decreasing to 0.105 USD/L over five years, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 26.50%. The proposed integration of a cooling tower and thermal insulation significantly enhances water yield and operational efficiency, outperforming conventional passive desalination systems in both distillate output and energy conservation. This positions the system as a superior, scalable, and sustainable solution for decentralized freshwater generation in off-grid and water-stressed regions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4ec8d2840e734f64813f9ac4ab3880fb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-4ec8d2840e734f64813f9ac4ab3880fb2025-08-20T04:01:36ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-09769-3Efficient passive solar desalination using cooling tower integration and thermal insulationMehdi Bakhtiarzadeh0Reza Effatnejad1Kambiz Rezapour2Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran (CCERCI)Department of Electrical Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Karaj BranchDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Karaj BranchAbstract Freshwater scarcity remains a critical global issue, particularly in arid regions with inadequate infrastructure. In this study, a passive, solar-powered desalination system was designed and evaluated for continuous freshwater production without reliance on fossil fuels or external electricity sources. The system integrates a solar water heater, a thermally insulated evaporation chamber, and a spiral condenser coil linked to a water-based cooling tower, enhancing daytime and nighttime water recovery. This innovation achieves higher efficiency with minimal operational cost, demonstrating significant potential for deployment in water-stressed regions. Field tests conducted in Tehran, Iran, during August and September 2023 showed a substantial increase in daily water output following the integration of the cooling tower—from 3018 to 6978 mL in August and from 2409 to 7016 mL in September—representing gains of 286.82 and 231.21%, respectively (p < 0.0001). The device also sustained overnight water production due to effective thermal insulation, yielding 1936 ± 51.55 mL of distilled water after sunset. Water quality analysis confirmed the removal of toxic elements while retaining essential minerals within safe limits. The system’s embodied carbon footprint was estimated at 0.139 kg CO2 per liter of water produced, with zero operational emissions. Economic analysis indicated a cost of 0.526 USD/L in the first year, decreasing to 0.105 USD/L over five years, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 26.50%. The proposed integration of a cooling tower and thermal insulation significantly enhances water yield and operational efficiency, outperforming conventional passive desalination systems in both distillate output and energy conservation. This positions the system as a superior, scalable, and sustainable solution for decentralized freshwater generation in off-grid and water-stressed regions.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09769-3Solar desalinationSolar water heaterPhotovoltaic systemCooling towerThermal insulation |
| spellingShingle | Mehdi Bakhtiarzadeh Reza Effatnejad Kambiz Rezapour Efficient passive solar desalination using cooling tower integration and thermal insulation Scientific Reports Solar desalination Solar water heater Photovoltaic system Cooling tower Thermal insulation |
| title | Efficient passive solar desalination using cooling tower integration and thermal insulation |
| title_full | Efficient passive solar desalination using cooling tower integration and thermal insulation |
| title_fullStr | Efficient passive solar desalination using cooling tower integration and thermal insulation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Efficient passive solar desalination using cooling tower integration and thermal insulation |
| title_short | Efficient passive solar desalination using cooling tower integration and thermal insulation |
| title_sort | efficient passive solar desalination using cooling tower integration and thermal insulation |
| topic | Solar desalination Solar water heater Photovoltaic system Cooling tower Thermal insulation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09769-3 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mehdibakhtiarzadeh efficientpassivesolardesalinationusingcoolingtowerintegrationandthermalinsulation AT rezaeffatnejad efficientpassivesolardesalinationusingcoolingtowerintegrationandthermalinsulation AT kambizrezapour efficientpassivesolardesalinationusingcoolingtowerintegrationandthermalinsulation |