Exergy and economic analysis of direct contact membrane distillation assisted by solar vapour absorption refrigeration system

The integration of membrane distillation (MD) with solar-assisted vapour absorption refrigeration (VAR) is investigated. The MD circulation rate showed a negative impact on irreversibility up to a flow rate of 600 kg/h after which the exergy losses reduced gradually. At a feed flow rate of 600 kg/h, a maximum irreversibility of 5.9 kW and a minimum exergy efficiency of 34.2% are obtained. The enlargement of the solar collector area typified considerable adverse influence on the destroyed work. However, the exergy efficiency exhibits a minimum of 46% at Ac = 60 m2 afterward a continuous improvement is observed. Economic analysis delineates that the levelised water cost can be reduced to 8 $/m3 using the hybrid system.