Improving the performance of a Seawater Greenhouse desalination system by assessment of simulation models for different condensers

The main aim of this paper was the development of a mathematical model for a new proposed passive condenser in order to enhance the performance of a humidification–dehumidification Seawater Greenhouse desalination system. Seawater Greenhouse desalination is used to create a cool environment and at the same time to produce fresh water for irrigation of crops grown inside the unit. The condenser in particular is currently one of the main bottlenecks in the commercialization of the technology. In addition to the current pump driven condenser, two new designs were considered: a passive cooling system with a condenser immersed in a water basin, and an external passive condenser connected to a basin of water placed on top of the cooling unit. The simulated condensate values for the proposed passive cooling condenser were compared with that of the actual measured values of the installed condenser. Preliminary results suggest that the passive condenser has a much greater water production capacity than the existing pump driven system. While the model for the proposed system still needs to be validated experimentally the initial study indicates that the passive containment cooling system is a promising improvement in the further development of greenhouse desalination.