Performance evaluation of novel and efficient integration of solar-assisted HVAC system with solar humidification-dehumidification desalination system

This paper aims to study the performance of a novel and efficient integration of a solar-assisted HVAC system with a solar humidification-dehumidification desalination system for hot climates. The proposed hybrid system aims to achieve thermal comfort conditions, produce freshwater, reduce the required power input, and reduce environmental pollution. To achieve this idea, we designed, constructed, and tested the novel hybrid system consisting of a solar-assisted HVAC system incorporated with a solar humidification-dehumidification desalination system. The device takes the rejected hot air that has passed over a solid desiccant and feeds it into a solar still to extract fresh water, while the increased utilization of solar power reduces the overall needed power, increasing the system’s COP. The study primarily focuses on the system's capability to perform in hot and humid regions. The sensible and latent cooling capacities, dehumidification, and HVAC Coefficients of performance, as well as the amount of freshwater distilled, have all been recorded and compared. It is found that the system achieves the highest performance with higher temperatures and relative humidity. The maximum desalinated water produced was 3 l/day. System COP and GOR peaked at 1.23 and 1.4 respectively.