CFD simulation for optimizing the evaporation process in seawater desalination using exhaust heat from AC and vortex generators

Water is essential for human survival, yet freshwater resources are scarce and limited. In Indonesia’s coastal regions, only 66.54 % of the population has access to clean water, highlighting a significant challenge. This issue is further intensified by global warming, which has increased dependence on air conditioners, resulting in substantial waste heat emissions. While often overlooked, this waste heat contributes to local warming and presents an untapped energy resource. Repurposing this energy for innovative applications, such as seawater desalination, offers a promising solution to mitigate clean water shortages. This study proposes using waste heat from household ACs for seawater desalination through evaporation, enhanced by vortex generators. The research examines variations with and without vortex generators across different cross-sectional areas, affecting airflow velocity. Results indicate that using vortex generators significantly increases evaporation rates at all wind speeds. These devices enhance airflow velocity and turbulence, boosting heat transfer and accelerating evaporation. Through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, the research aims to demonstrate how vortex generators can improve evaporation, offering a practical solution for cooling and desalination at a household scale. This novel approach could significantly benefit water-scarce regions, providing an efficient, cost-effective solution utilising existing household technology. • Rapid global population growth significantly increases the demand for clean water. • This study introduces a method to repurpose waste heat from air conditioners for seawater desalination. • Vortex generators improve evaporation rates by increasing airflow velocity and turbulence. • CFD simulations confirm the effectiveness of this approach for household-scale desalination systems.