Energy and environmental analysis of multi-effect active vertical solar desalination unit for Indian conditions

Abstract

Environmental benefits and economic feasibility of evacuated multi-effect vertical solar desalination unit have been estimated for various coastal regions of India. Maximum annual average daily distillate yield and performance ratio of 29.43 kg/m2-d and 4.29 were recorded for Panaji. The unit was found to be capable of mitigating CO2, SO2 and NO emissions in the range of 74.74–137.65 tons, 730.53–989.70 kg and 225.75–404.27 kg, respectively, for considered east coast locations of India. Net CO2, SO2 and NO emission mitigation in the range of 115.01–149.36 tons, 872.07–1073.94 kg and 337.75–438.65 kg, respectively, was noticed for coastal regions in western part of India. Energy payback period of the unit was well below 1.5 yr for all the considered locations. Lowest distillate production cost of 0.79 INR/L and 0.73 INR/L was noticed for east and west coast region of India.