Solar humidifier and dehumidifier desalination method and system for the desalination of saline water

A solar humidifier-dehumidifier desalination system for desalination of saline water, adjacent a source of seawater or the like, said system consisting of:

• a plurality of evacuated tubular collectors, a first storage tank for cold seawater and a second storage tank for heated seawater, a humidifier, and a condenser/dehumidifier;
• pumping means for moving saline water from said source of seawater or the like to and through said evacuated tubular collectors for heating said saline water to a temperature within a range of between about 50° C. and 90° C. and moving said heated and humidified air from said humidifier to and into said condenser/dehumidifier;
• separating and delivering desalinated water to a first outlet and hot seawater to a second outlet for preheating seawater to said hot water storage tank and returning a portion of said concentrated seawater to a disposal;
• and
• sizing said system to maintain its operation during periods of darkness.

A solar humidification-dehumidification desalination method for desalination of saline water, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of solar thermal collectors, a first storage tank for cold seawater and a second storage tank for heated seawater and brine, a humidifier, and a condenser/dehumidifier;
• moving said saline water from said second storage tank to and through said evacuated tubular collectors for heating said saline water to a temperature within the range of between about 50° C. and 90° C. and delivering said heated and humidified seawater to and through said humidifier to and into said condenser/dehumidifier;
• separating and delivering desalinated water to a first outlet and hot seawater brine to said second storage tank;
• and
• maintaining the method over a continuous 24 hours of operations.

A solar humidifier-dehumidifier desalination system for desalination of saline water, adjacent a source of seawater or the like, said system consisting of:

• a plurality of collectors, a first storage tank for cold seawater and a second storage tank for heated seawater, a humidifier, and a condenser/dehumidifier;
• pumping means for moving saline water from said source of seawater or the like to and through said collectors for heating said saline water to a temperature within a range of between about 50° C. and 90° C. and moving said heated and humidified water from said humidifier to and into said condenser/dehumidifier;
• separating and delivering desalinated water to a first outlet and hot seawater to a second outlet for preheating seawater to said hot water storage tank and returning a portion of said concentrated seawater to a disposal;
• and
• sizing said system to maintain its operation during periods of darkness.

A solar humidification-dehumidification desalination method for desalination of saline water, said method consisting of:

• providing a plurality of collectors, a first storage tank for cold seawater and a second storage tank for heated seawater and brine, a humidifier, and a condenser/dehumidifier;
• moving said saline water from said second storage tank to and through said collectors for heating said saline water to a temperature within the range of between about 50° C. and 90° C. and delivering said heated and humidified seawater to and through said humidifier to and into said condenser/dehumidifier;
• separating and delivering desalinated water to a first outlet and hot seawater brine to said second storage tank;
• and
• maintaining the method over a continuous 24 hours of operations.