Performance evaluation of a PCM-integrated solar hybrid adsorption desalination cooling system

The novel integration of phase change materials (PCMs) into a solar-driven hybrid adsorption desorption-cooling (ADC) system is examined in this study. This study models effects of integration of different PCMs into the hot water thermal storage tank to overcome the intermittency of solar energy. The analysis highlights the complex relationship between PCM thermophysical properties, mass, and their effects on system performance indicators, including Specific Cooling Capacity (SCP), Specific Daily Water Production (SDWP), and the Coefficient of Performance (COP), clarifying the areas that are well-suited for future optimization studies to maximize the performance of these integrated systems. Consequently, addressing this need, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to demonstrate that the obtaining optimal PCM mass is crucial, the integration of 25 kg of Tritriacontane PCM was shown to significantly improve the system’s water production performance, resulting in 70.31 % improvement in the (SDWP) compared to the baseline (20 kg PCM mass).