This study presents the development of a novel hybrid wind power generator–water distillation system with the objective of providing sustainable solutions for impoverished isolated communities facing limited resources. The advantage of the proposed system is its ability to operate day and night; therefore, it produces larger quantities of distilled water even on cloudy days with winds. The system comprises a Venturi tunnel integrated with a wind turbine, an attached impure water tank, and a condenser located at the end section. The accelerated airflow at the throat section serves two purposes: water evaporation from the tank and power generation through the wind turbine. The evaporated water is subsequently collected as the airflow decelerates and the pressure decreases along the diverging section. Theoretical and computational modelling is employed to design the system by examining air speed, area ratio, relative humidity, as well as air, and water temperatures. The system exhibits enhanced performance under warm and dry weather conditions, thereby optimizing its performance. Conversely, temperature and relative humidity do not affect power generation; it was increased by higher air speeds and larger area ratios. This data-driven approach ensures optimal design parameters are selected, aligning the system's capabilities with the specific freshwater demand.

  • The study presents modelling a novel hybrid wind power generator–water distillation system that provides sustainable solutions for isolated communities.

  • The results demonstrate the interplay between various parameters and their impact on water evaporation rate, power generation, and the overall efficiency of the system.

  • Considering environmental conditions and system parameters is crucial to attaining optimal performance.

A

cross-sectional area (m2)

Cp

power coefficient

E

evaporation rate (kg/m2·h)

g

gravitational acceleration (=9.81 m2/s)

h

height (m)

mass rate (kg/s)

P

Power (W)

p

water vapour partial pressure (Pa)

T

temperature (°C)

v

speed (m/s)

Q

volumetric rate (m3/s)

Symbols

ϕ

relative humidity

ρ

air density (kg/m3)

Subscripts

1

Section 1

2

Section 2

3

Section 3

4

Section 4

a

air

w

water

In recent years, the world has witnessed rapid population expansion and substantial industrial development, leading to a significant increase in the demand for water and subsequent scarcity in various regions. Consequently, the concept of desalination has gained considerable attention as a potential solution to address the growing water demand and scarcity issues. Seawater presents an inexhaustible supply of water for desalination procedures. Another potential water source is brackish water, which is primarily obtained from subterranean sources in various regions. On average, the salt concentration in seawater is 35,000 mg/L. Brackish waters are comparatively less saline, with concentrations ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 mg/L (Jones et al. 2019). The World Health Organization's recommendation for drinking water suggests a salinity level below 600 mg/L for improved taste, yet no health-based guideline for total dissolved solids has been proposed (WHO 2017). The map shown in Figure 1 illustrates projected water stress levels for the year 2040 by correlating annual water abstraction data with available renewable resources drawn upon information provided by the World Resources Institute. Areas with the highest figures represent regions where competition among water users intensifies, impacting a substantial portion of the global population. These areas include the western United States, Mexico, the west coast of Latin America, the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, Western Asia, and the northern part of China (FNSP 2018).
Figure 1

Map of water stress projections for 2040 (FNSP 2018).

Figure 1

Map of water stress projections for 2040 (FNSP 2018).

Close modal

Desalination methods encompass a wide range of techniques, varying from simple and cost-effective approaches to more complex and expensive technologies that rely on heat, light, gravity, chemicals, filters, and/or oxidation (Xie et al. 2022). However, it is important to note that the cost of water will vary depending on the desalination technique employed, the level of water salinity, the energy source utilized, and the capabilities of the desalination plant (Shokri & Fard 2023). Simultaneously, there has been significant progress in the development and utilization of renewable and clean energy sources. Renewable resources such as solar power and wind energy have garnered widespread use, particularly as alternatives to oil-based energy, to meet the escalating global energy demands (Al-Nassar et al. 2019; Kabeyi & Olanrewaju 2022; Samargandi et al. 2023).

Subsequently, more efforts have been devoted to developing hybrid systems by combining desalination techniques with renewable resources. Solar power and geothermal energy are the dominant renewable resources used to support desalination, which are often in combination with reverse osmosis (RO) technology, membrane distillation, and adsorption desalination (Alsaadi et al. 2015). As a result, integrated systems have been produced with highly efficient systems that are capable of generating electricity along with the desalination of water. Both review articles (Ahmed et al. 2019; Bundschuh et al. 2021) extensively examined the utilization of renewable energy sources for water desalination. Most existing studies and publications focused on desalination techniques that rely on wind power or solar energy or both wind and solar energies to operate the desalination processes. Figure 2 shows diverse ways and resources that can be adopted for generating energy and increasing the efficiency of the already established desalination systems (Tufa et al. 2018).
Figure 2

Renewable energy-driven desalination for simultaneous water production (Tufa et al. 2018).

Figure 2

Renewable energy-driven desalination for simultaneous water production (Tufa et al. 2018).

Close modal

Solar energy is widely accessible and can be seamlessly integrated into desalination systems, particularly in sunny coastal and arid regions. However, the efficiency of solar-powered membrane-based desalination processes may be compromised, especially during cloudy or overcast conditions (Jafaripour et al. 2023). Additionally, the cost of implementing solar-powered desalination systems, particularly at larger scales, can be relatively high.

In a study by Ennasri et al. (2019), a reliable and low-cost solution for producing drinking water was proposed through desalination by RO utilizing solar energy. The study demonstrated the promising potential of this technique for addressing the water scarcity crisis and achieving sustainable development. Wang et al. (2019) documented a method called photovoltaic–membrane distillation that demonstrates the potential to simultaneously produce clean water and generate electrical power. Utilizing solar energy in membrane desalination offers significant advantages as it is a sustainable and renewable energy source, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels and associated environmental repercussions. Assareh et al. (2021) crafted an integrated system of energy aiming to reduce the temperature of hot water and produce electricity from saline water. This system was built with a geothermal well, absorption chiller, parabolic trough collectors, steam Rankine cycle, and RO desalination unit. Thermoelectric generators were used and compared to the system with a condenser, showing reduced cost rates and improved exergy efficiency.

Besides solar energy as a renewable energy means, Gude (2022) has stressed the need for energy generation from saline water by adopting the desalination process. The study also emphasized employing solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear energy to increase the concentration of energy from renewable sources. Also, these sources can be optimally utilized via a desalinating process that may become promising sources of obtaining freshwater. Therefore, different desalination technologies can be integrated through geothermal sources in this regard. The efficiency of energy produced can be measured by comparing it with the amount of solar energy used in the process. For desalinating distilled water, the use of small- and medium-sized nuclear reactors is promising as deploying large-scale nuclear reactors is associated with macro- and macro-economic stability. Moreover, solar energy is stored by using solar collectors that work as the exchangers of heat that is extracted and transferred to the load system. As a more viable energy production system, Esmaeilion (2020) has contended the optimal usage of the RO technique to generate energy from distilled water and tap the potential of solar energy for hybrid systems. Geothermal is considered to have a steady performance at a certain depth, which provides optimal results and insights.

Water distillation is a widely used method for obtaining clean and potable water from impure sources. Modern distillation systems use solar energy to extract vapour from liquid water for eco-friendly and cost-effective freshwater production. The present obstacle in solar steam generation lies in the need to establish simple and scalable techniques that can efficiently convert solar irradiation into usable thermal energy. A 3D-printed evaporator was developed to harness solar energy for achieving high-efficiency steam generation (Li et al. 2017). Hydrogel evaporators incorporating hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties demonstrated an exceptional evaporation rate (Guo et al. 2020). This can be attributed to the augmented thickness of the water layer within the hydrophilic region and the relatively elongated contact lines in the hydrophobic region. As a result, water molecules rapidly dispersed, leading to significant water evaporation. Moreover, Sleiti et al. (2021) asserted in their study that using an integrated solar absorption cooling system integrated with a solar distillation system enabled heat recovery. The results revealed that this strategy maximized the productivity and efficiency of the system three-fold in comparison with the traditional system.

Remarkably, wind energy technologies have been advancing rapidly in the energy sector, with a particular emphasis on small-scale wind power applications (Bontempo et al. 2021). Using power generated from wind turbines was utilized to operate different desalination techniques. For instance, Carta et al. (2015) conducted a study where they implemented wind power in a seawater RO desalination unit, which exhibited variable energy consumption. The authors proposed that this operational approach could be employed in large-scale seawater RO desalination units. In a recent investigation (Carta & Cabrera 2021), they utilized a wind power-based RO process to optimize the sizing of a system consisting of a medium-scale modular seawater RO desalination plant, powered exclusively by off-grid wind energy. To account for interannual variations in wind energy, machine learning techniques were employed, and randomness was introduced into the daily freshwater demand profile. The control strategy aimed to ensure that the desalination modules' energy consumption remained in sync with wind generation over the system's lifespan, either by operating under constant pressure and flow conditions or by varying these parameters within an acceptable range.

The operational efficiency and economic viability of a wind-powered RO process are influenced by various factors. For example, the utilization of a wind energy converter for power distribution to the RO units may be economically feasible in scenarios with promising annual production rates or locations with suitable wind speeds (Rashidi et al. 2022). Another study compared different configurations of wind-powered RO desalination units employing the same wind turbines and discovered that modifying the design and configuration can lead to reduced water production costs (Rosales-Asensio et al. 2019). Therefore, examining atmospheric parameters and the density of the location where a wind farm is located is one of the pragmatic strategies to increase the amount of wind energy (Bingöl 2023).

Various studies were done to harness the waste heat produced by wind turbines for freshwater production. The study of Memon et al. (2022) proposed four configurations of multi-stage direct-contact membrane distillation systems that utilize waste heat from wind turbines for seawater desalination. The article has reported promising results in the integration of wind energy and membrane distillation for efficient and sustainable desalination. Similar researchers highlighted the potential of utilizing waste heat from wind turbines for desalination and emphasized the economic and environmental benefits of such systems (Khalilzadeh & Nezhad 2018; Al-hotmani et al. 2021; Kulganatov et al. 2023).

Wind harvesting for wind turbines that use the Venturi effect showed promising results in enhancing the efficiency of wind turbines since the velocity of air passing through increased, leading to improved energy conversion (Monto 2020). Furthermore, the yielding capacity of power increased by 12% using the Venturi effect compared to conventional windmills (Kumar et al. 2022). Uthale et al. (2023) concentrated on conducting experiments and simulations for the development of industrial applications in recovering waste air and designing a turbine with the aid of a nozzle. The system generated electricity, even at lower air velocities or reduced wind speeds from the exhaust and ventilation system, maintaining a steady power output.

In most previous studies, wind energy has predominantly been employed as a power source for driving desalination systems. However, direct utilization of wind energy within the desalination process itself has not been explored. Coastal and offshore regions with high wind speeds present advantageous circumstances for harnessing wind energy, making them viable locations for implementing desalination systems. Nevertheless, membrane-based desalination systems reliant on wind energy may encounter efficiency challenges in areas characterized by low wind speeds. Furthermore, the intermittent nature of wind energy, which is influenced by weather conditions, poses a limitation as it can lead to fluctuations in the energy supply for the desalination process.

The objective of this article is to propose a sustainable system that combines wind power generation and water distillation by creating an efficient solution capable of collecting distilled water while simultaneously generating power. To accomplish this, the system employs the Venturi principle, and utilizing the accelerated wind presents at the end of the converging section. This wind energy is employed to facilitate two critical processes: water evaporation and power generation through the utilization of a wind power rotor. This dual functionality ensures the effective utilization of the available wind resources. Moreover, the converging section allows for the acceleration of the wind, optimizing its potential to evaporate water from a designated tank. To collect the evaporated water, a coil condenser is strategically placed at the diverging edge of the system. As the accelerated air stream decelerates, the increased pressure facilitates the condensation of the evaporated water, allowing it to be collected and utilized for various purposes. The performance of the system is studied extensively, considering various patterns and conditions. In today's era of advanced technology and data-driven decision-making, the integration of computational models, data analysis, and information systems is pivotal for optimizing and assessing the performance of such complex systems. To analyse and characterize the system's performance, different wind settings, water conditions, and Venturi geometric parameters are studied. These investigations provide valuable insights into the system's behaviour and performance, contributing to the development of more optimized designs and operation strategies for sustainable wind power generation and water distillation systems. This system exhibits a profound potential for significant reductions in carbon emissions, which aligns seamlessly with the global imperative to combat climate change. By harnessing wind power for both water desalination and electricity generation, the system minimizes reliance on fossil fuels, thereby mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

Model concept

The proposed renewable hybrid system, shown in Figure 3, encompasses several key components essential for its operation. These components include a Venturi tunnel, a wind turbine rotor, a water tank, and a condenser.
Figure 3

Schematic diagram of the proposed renewable hybrid system.

Figure 3

Schematic diagram of the proposed renewable hybrid system.

Close modal

The Venturi tunnel plays a crucial role in the system by effectively manipulating the airflow. As the incoming air enters the tunnel, its velocity and pressure are controlled through a gradual decrease in the cross-sectional area, which accelerates the air. Conversely, a subsequent increase in the cross-sectional area leads to the deceleration of the air, resulting in a lower speed and higher pressure. This well-designed airflow control mechanism optimizes the system's efficiency.

At the throat section of the Venturi tunnel, where the air velocity is at its highest, a horizontal-axis wind turbine rotor is installed. This wind turbine efficiently harnesses the kinetic energy present in the wind and converts it into mechanical energy. The mechanical energy is then further transformed into electrical energy through a generator connected to the turbine's shaft. This process enables the system to generate clean and renewable power.

The water tank is strategically positioned within the throat section of the tunnel, serving as the primary source of feed water for the system. The water within the tank can consist of several types, including seawater, ground water, or any water containing impurities. As the high-speed air flows over the water surface, it induces rapid evaporation, allowing for high rates of water evaporation. This evaporation process is particularly efficient due to the optimized airflow within the Venturi tunnel.

To collect the evaporated water and ensure its purity, a coil condenser is installed at the diverging end section of the system. As the air speed decreases and the pressure is restored to a normal level, the evaporated water condenses and is collected within the condenser. This ensures the extraction of clean and distilled water. It is important to note that the condenser's placement ensures the separation of the collected water from the exhaust air, which is subsequently released into the atmosphere.

By employing this renewable hybrid system, the generation of sustainable power and the collection of clean distilled water are effectively integrated. The design of the components, such as the Venturi tunnel, wind turbine rotor, water tank, and condenser, is carefully optimized to maximize efficiency and performance. This comprehensive system offers a promising solution for addressing the growing demands for renewable energy generation and water purification.

Mathematical modelling

Venturi tunnel

As the airflow accelerates through the narrowing throat, the kinetic energy of the air particles increases, resulting in a higher velocity and a corresponding decrease in pressure. Within the throat section of the Venturi tunnel, an intriguing phenomenon occurs due to Bernoulli's principle, where the airflow reaches its maximum velocity while generating a region of reduced pressure. This interplay between velocity and pressure is a fundamental concept in fluid dynamics (Chaudhuri et al. 2022):
(1)
Likewise, the air volumetric rate Q remains constant and equals to:
(2)
Substituting Equation (2) into (1) with h1 = h2 and reorganizing provides:
(3)

Wind turbine rotor

A wind turbine rotor is used to extract the mechanical power from the wind. It has blades of a wind turbine that are a necessary part of it and are built in the form of aerodynamic shapes that are known as aerofoils (Tenghiri et al. 2018; Yossri et al. 2021). These air foils are interconnected that allows air to convert the power in the wind into mechanical power. The mechanical power is related to the area of the throat, wind speed, air density, and power coefficient. It is measured as:
(4)
The above-stated equation shows that to obtain high wind power, wind speed must be higher and be present at the broader throat area along with air having high density. A considerable alteration in power can be obtained with minor adjustments in the velocity of wind that is approaching the rotor. The power coefficient Cp is defined as the ratio between the actual power obtained and the maximum available power. It depends on the type of rotor and is obtained from:
(5)

The Cp values range from 0.3 to 0.5. However, this study considers the power coefficient value of 0.4 as an average value.

Water tank

Due to airflow with the speed of v3 at the surface of the water, the process of water evaporation will take place. This process depends on water surface temperature, air humidity, air velocity, and air temperature. Numerous techniques and models have been recommended and adopted in the past to determine the evaporation rate E. Nevertheless, the Penman–Brutsaert model (Katul & Parlange 1992) to estimate the rate of evaporation provides an analytical solution of the combined heat and mass transfer and energy balance equations to be used at the surface of the water. It is given as:
(6)
where denotes a wind function that comprises corrections to account for atmospheric non-neutral stability. Tanny et al. (2008) showed that Equation (6) provided the most accurate model predictions for direct measurements related to evaporation from a small reservoir compared to other models. Shah (2014) also considered evaporation from different water tanks, pools, and vessels, and derived formulas to measure this evaporation. Shah (2014) formulated the following equation for evaporation established from wind tunnel tests and can be considered for wide-ranging wind velocities:
(7)
In light of the values presented by Incropera and Dewitt to be used in humid air (Bergman et al. 2011), the relation between the saturation vapour pressure and temperature can be estimated through (Tang & Etzion 2004):
(8)

Hence, Equation (8) is used to calculate the partial pressure of water vapour at water temperature (pw) and air temperature (pa3).

Condenser

Before exhausting air into the atmosphere, a strategically positioned coil condenser is mounted at the diverging end section of the system. This condenser serves as a vital component for ensuring efficient water collection. It is essential to note that the system assumes ideal conditions, where no losses occur during the process, and that air entering the condenser (point 4) has the same ambient conditions as the air exiting the surface of the water (point 3). Therefore, the coil condenser is designed to capture and condense all the water vapour that has evaporated, facilitating its collection for further use. This careful arrangement guarantees maximum efficiency in water recovery, minimizing wastage, and maximizing the overall performance of the renewable hybrid system.

The study has investigated modelling a hybrid system that is capable of generating electricity from a wind turbine of the system that is used in the distillation of water via using a Venture tunnel. The amount of water evaporated, and the generated wind power was measured for several air speed values (v1 and v2), area ratios (A1/A2), air and water temperatures (Ta and Tw), and relative humidity (). Figure 4 shows the relationship between the evaporation rate and the inlet air speed at various area ratios within the system. It provides valuable insights into the impact of several factors on the evaporation process. When considering a constant area ratio, an increase in the inlet air speed v1 leads to a corresponding increase in the outlet air speed v2 (as determined by Equation (2)) and also an increase in the air speed v3 at the surface of the water (as determined by Equation (5)). Consequently, the evaporation rate escalates, resulting in a higher production of condensed distilled water. Similarly, when the inlet air speed v1 remains fixed, enlarging the area ratio enhances the speed at the throat section v2 and consequently v3. This bigger speed fosters a higher rate of water evaporation, thereby producing an increased quantity of condensed distilled water. By utilizing Figure 4, engineers can design the Venturi tunnel to match the hourly freshwater requirements. Specifically, given the wind speed value v1 and the desired freshwater rate E, the appropriate area ratio can be determined using the insights provided in Figure 4. This data-driven approach ensures optimal design parameters are selected, aligning the system's capabilities with the specific freshwater demand.
Figure 4

Rate of evaporation as a function of inlet speed for different area ratios (Ta = 20 °C, Tw = 15 °C, and = 30%).

Figure 4

Rate of evaporation as a function of inlet speed for different area ratios (Ta = 20 °C, Tw = 15 °C, and = 30%).

Close modal
Figure 5 shows the relationship between the power generated by the wind turbine rotor and the inlet air speed for various area ratios within the system. As mentioned earlier, when considering a constant area ratio, an increase in the inlet air speed v1 leads to an increase in the outlet air speed v2, consequently resulting in higher power generation, as indicated by Equation (4). The rate of increase in power is more pronounced for larger values of v2, as power generation is directly proportional to the cube of the wind speed. Moreover, increasing the area ratio also contributes to an increase in the power generated, since it leads to an increase in v2. However, the impact of area ratio on power generation is more significant at higher v1 values compared to lower v1 values. This insightful figure is instrumental in system design, enabling engineers to determine the required area ratio for specific v1 values and desired power output E. By utilizing the information provided in Figure 5, engineers can optimize the design of the wind turbine system, ensuring it aligns with the desired power generation requirements for a given inlet air speed v1.
Figure 5

Power generation variation with inlet speed for different area ratios (Ta = 20 °C, Tw = 15 °C, and = 30%).

Figure 5

Power generation variation with inlet speed for different area ratios (Ta = 20 °C, Tw = 15 °C, and = 30%).

Close modal
The impact of water temperature on the evaporation rate, thereby influencing the amount of water distilled, is illustrated in Figure 6. The results indicate that as the water temperature increases, the evaporation rate and distilled water production also increase. This observation aligns with expectations, as higher temperatures cause water molecules to move more rapidly, facilitating their escape from the water surface. By comparing Figures 4 and 6, it becomes evident that both increasing the area ratio and raising the water temperature will lead to an improved condensation of water vapour. However, it is worth noting that adjusting the water temperature is a more feasible and straightforward approach compared to modifying the system's cross-sectional areas. Consequently, optimizing the water temperature represents a practical means of enhancing the system's overall performance and distilled water yield.
Figure 6

Rate of evaporation as a function of inlet air speed for different hot water temperatures (Ta = 20 °C, A1/A2 = 4, and = 30%).

Figure 6

Rate of evaporation as a function of inlet air speed for different hot water temperatures (Ta = 20 °C, A1/A2 = 4, and = 30%).

Close modal
Hence, to raise the temperature of water and facilitate its evaporation, the proposed system offers the option of incorporating a heat exchanger (HE) that can be connected to a solar panel. This modification is described in Figure 7, where the HE is positioned inside the water tank. By cost-effectively implementing this enhancement, the water temperature within the tank will rise, resulting in increased water evaporation. Figure 8 showcases the influence of elevated water temperature on the evaporation rate. It is noteworthy that doubling the water temperature leads to a more than three-fold increase in the evaporation rate. Table 1 clearly shows this relation between the evaporation rate and doubling the water temperature. This approach offers a practical solution for optimizing the system's performance and achieving the desired output of distilled water in a cost-effective way.
Table 1

Rate of evaporation variation (kg/m2·h) with inlet air speed for different water temperatures (Ta= 20 °C, A1/A2= 4, and = 30%)

v1 (m/s)Water temperature (Tw)
15 °C30 °C20 °C40 °C25 °C50 °C30 °C60 °C
1.244 4.373 2.025 8.254 3.05 14.50 4.373 24.32 
10 2.021 7.103 3.290 13.41 4.95 23.55 7.103 39.51 
15 2.684 9.435 4.370 17.81 6.58 31.29 9.435 52.48 
20 3.283 11.53 5.345 21.78 8.04 38.27 11.54 64.19 
25 3.838 13.49 6.249 25.46 9.40 44.74 13.49 75.04 
30 4.360 15.33 7.099 28.93 10.68 50.83 15.33 85.26 
35 4.857 17.07 7.908 32.23 11.90 56.62 17.07 94.98 
v1 (m/s)Water temperature (Tw)
15 °C30 °C20 °C40 °C25 °C50 °C30 °C60 °C
1.244 4.373 2.025 8.254 3.05 14.50 4.373 24.32 
10 2.021 7.103 3.290 13.41 4.95 23.55 7.103 39.51 
15 2.684 9.435 4.370 17.81 6.58 31.29 9.435 52.48 
20 3.283 11.53 5.345 21.78 8.04 38.27 11.54 64.19 
25 3.838 13.49 6.249 25.46 9.40 44.74 13.49 75.04 
30 4.360 15.33 7.099 28.93 10.68 50.83 15.33 85.26 
35 4.857 17.07 7.908 32.23 11.90 56.62 17.07 94.98 
Figure 7

The modified renewable hybrid system integrating a HE and a solar panel.

Figure 7

The modified renewable hybrid system integrating a HE and a solar panel.

Close modal
Figure 8

Rate of evaporation variation with inlet air speed for different water temperatures (Ta = 20 °C, A1/A2 = 4, and = 30%).

Figure 8

Rate of evaporation variation with inlet air speed for different water temperatures (Ta = 20 °C, A1/A2 = 4, and = 30%).

Close modal
Figure 9 illustrates the impact of water temperature on the evaporation rate, considering various area ratios. The findings presented in this figure align closely with the observations depicted in Figure 6. The relationship between water temperature and evaporation rate remains consistent across different area ratios, further emphasizing the significance of water temperature influencing the evaporation process. By examining the data represented in both figures, it becomes evident that increasing the water temperature leads to a corresponding increase in the rate of evaporation. Therefore, if the objective is to maintain the same rate of freshly distilled water while reducing the size of the Venturi tunnel, an increase in water temperature by approximately 5 °C will be adequate. This knowledge is crucial for optimizing the system's design and operational parameters to achieve the desired evaporation rates and obtain the desired quantity of distilled water.
Figure 9

Rate of evaporation variation with area ratio for different water temperatures (Ta = 20 °C, v1 = 5 m/s, and = 30%).

Figure 9

Rate of evaporation variation with area ratio for different water temperatures (Ta = 20 °C, v1 = 5 m/s, and = 30%).

Close modal
To investigate the impact of the temperature of the air on the rate of evaporation thoroughly, two figures, namely Figures 10 and 11, are produced. Figure 10(a) and 10(b) provides valuable insights by showcasing that the evaporation rate and the quantity of condensed distilled water increase as the air temperature decreases. This intriguing observation stands in stark contrast to the influence of increasing water temperature on the evaporation rate. The underlying reason for this disparity lies in the pressure difference which decreases with rising air temperature, resulting in lower evaporation rate values. Consequently, for an existing Venturi tunnel, increasing the water temperature in the tank becomes a viable approach to enhance the evaporation rate. Moreover, a detailed comparison between Figure 10(a) and 10(b) emphasizes that elevating the water temperature amplifies the evaporation rate, even when subjected to high air temperature conditions. Consequently, it becomes apparent that the size of the hybrid system that is located in relatively hot regions surpasses that in colder regions, considering the same desired distilled water output.
Figure 10

Rate of evaporation variation with inlet air speed for different air temperatures (A1/A2 = 4 and = 30%) (a) Tw = 15 °C and (b) Tw = 25 °C.

Figure 10

Rate of evaporation variation with inlet air speed for different air temperatures (A1/A2 = 4 and = 30%) (a) Tw = 15 °C and (b) Tw = 25 °C.

Close modal
Figure 11

Rate of evaporation variation with air temperature for different v2 (Tw = 15 °C and = 30%): (a) Tw = 15 °C and (b) Tw = 25 °C.

Figure 11

Rate of evaporation variation with air temperature for different v2 (Tw = 15 °C and = 30%): (a) Tw = 15 °C and (b) Tw = 25 °C.

Close modal

Figure 11 confirms these findings, further emphasizing the close relationship between the evaporation rate and both water and air temperatures. Additionally, it states that, while holding the air temperature constant, the water evaporation rate experiences an upward trend with increasing inlet air velocity. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that at lower water temperatures, the rate of increase diminishes as the air temperature drops, highlighting the intricate interplay between these influential factors. By examining these figures in detail, valuable insights can be gained to optimize the system design and operating conditions, especially when considering specific air and water temperature scenarios.

To investigate the influence of relative humidity on the evaporation rate of water, a comprehensive analysis was conducted by plotting the two variables across various inlet air speeds, as demonstrated in Figure 12. The obtained results show a noteworthy trend, revealing that as relative humidity decreases, the capacity for water evaporation into the air increases significantly. This phenomenon can be attributed to the fact that air with lower relative humidity provides optimal conditions for moisture to evaporate effectively. Conversely, as relative humidity increases, the air becomes more saturated, resulting in a reduction of the water evaporation rate. It is important to note that these findings align with the previous observations from Figures 8 and 10, where the evaporation rate exhibited a rising trend with increasing inlet air speed. Furthermore, this rate of increase was found to be more pronounced at higher inlet air speeds. Consequently, to achieve an equivalent amount of fresh distilled water, the Venturi tunnel size would need to be smaller in regions characterized by higher humidity levels.
Figure 12

Rate of evaporation variation with inlet air speed at a different relative humidity (Ta = 20 °C, Tw = 15 °C, and A1/A2 = 4).

Figure 12

Rate of evaporation variation with inlet air speed at a different relative humidity (Ta = 20 °C, Tw = 15 °C, and A1/A2 = 4).

Close modal
Thus, to emphasize the impact of area ratio and throat velocity on power generation, Figure 13 was carefully constructed. The figure provides valuable insights by illustrating that the rate of power generation increment is greater for larger throat velocities. This observation aligns with our earlier explanation, as outlined by Equation (4). The relationship between throat velocity and power generation becomes more apparent, highlighting the significant role played by these factors in optimizing the system's performance.
Figure 13

Power generated as a function of area ratio with constant A1 and different v2 (Ta = 20 °C, Tw = 15 °C, and = 30%).

Figure 13

Power generated as a function of area ratio with constant A1 and different v2 (Ta = 20 °C, Tw = 15 °C, and = 30%).

Close modal

Implications

The proposed system combines a wind turbine with a water distillation system to generate electricity that will increase the efficiency of the system which is to perform two functions: distillation of water and power generation. Moreover, using a Venture tunnel is one way of cost-effectiveness as the water distillation system can reduce the cost of producing freshwater. The system occupies great relevance and significance in the wake of greater realization to mitigate gradual reliance on fossil fuels to meet growing energy means and desalination of water. Furthermore, this system is coupled with various environmental benefits and can be a source of producing water in areas that have no freshwater resources. The study produces valuable insights into the design and performance of a hybrid wind power generator-water distillation system that will be a baseline work for future research for further development in this area.

Strengths, limitations, and future research

The proposed system accelerates the potential of using renewable energy by optimizing wind energy and using it in a water distillation system and to generate electricity from a renewable energy source. The prospects of such systems are higher as they produce green energy which has no degrading impact on the environment. This study makes an original contribution by utilizing a Venturi tunnel, which is one of the practicably efficient methods for distilling saline water into freshwater and simultaneously generating electricity. The findings of this study offer valuable and novel insights for the researcher, students, and the government with the aspect of ensuring the availability of freshwater in water-scarce areas that can improve both energy and water security eventually. Furthermore, the findings will assist in devising sustainable systems by combining water distillation techniques and power generation systems from the available potential of renewable sources such as wind energy. However, the model comprises the limitation of wind availability which is an intermittent energy source and can affect the system's capability to generate electricity and produce freshwater uninterruptedly. Moreover, this system is only feasible to be installed in windy places. To mitigate this limitation, several strategies and technologies can be implemented such as energy storage systems, advanced wind forecasting to predict wind patterns, demand-side management, microgrids, energy trading agreements, and energy management systems.

Computational models form the backbone of system design and evaluation. These models simulate the behaviour of the system under various conditions, helping engineers predict how different parameters will affect performance. In the context of this renewable hybrid system, computational fluid dynamics models can be employed to analyse airflow within the Venturi tunnel, optimizing its design for maximum water evaporation and power generation. These models allow for virtual experimentation, reducing the need for costly physical prototypes. Furthermore, the results of this study can be adapted and extended to include different converging-diverging sections that can be optimized for varying wind conditions, various feed water supplies, and wind power rotors that allow for tailoring the system to specific site conditions. This tailoring of the system to specific conditions can enhance its economic viability. Therefore, further research and development are necessary for modelling this design as a hybrid system coupled with the feature of freshwater production and renewable energy sources. It is worth mentioning that experimentation would be required to support the theoretical findings derived from theoretical and computational modelling and to determine the performance of the system in practical applications.

The objective of this article is to propose a sustainable system that combines wind power generation and water distillation by creating an efficient solution capable of collecting distilled water while simultaneously generating power. A novel renewable hybrid system was developed that combines the Venturi principle and a wind power rotor to achieve water evaporation, power generation, and collection of condensed distilled water. The comprehensive analysis conducted through the examination of the system has provided valuable insights into the performance characteristics of the proposed renewable hybrid system.

The obtained results demonstrate the interplay between various parameters and their impact on water evaporation rate, power generation, and the overall efficiency of the system. It was observed that increasing the inlet air speed and area ratio positively influenced the evaporation rate, leading to a higher yield of condensed distilled water. This finding highlights the importance of optimizing these parameters to achieve the desired water production rate while ensuring cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, the results indicated that increasing water temperature and optimizing the design of the Venturi tunnel can significantly enhance the evaporation rate and power generation.

These findings provide valuable guidance for system design and operation to maximize performance. Additionally, it was evident that lower air temperatures and relative humidity levels resulted in higher evaporation rates, while higher inlet velocities led to increased power generation. These findings underscore the importance of considering environmental conditions and system parameters to achieve optimal performance in various operating scenarios. Overall, the collective findings provide valuable insights into the design and operation of the proposed renewable hybrid system.

The understanding gained from this study can serve as a foundation for further research and development in the field of renewable energy systems, with the ultimate goal of advancing sustainable and efficient water distillation and power generation technologies. The incorporation of hydroinformatic tools, including computational models, data analysis, and information systems, is indispensable in the design and operation of the proposed renewable hybrid system. These tools enable engineers to optimize performance, maximize efficiency, and ensure the system adapts to varying environmental conditions, ultimately contributing to its sustainability and effectiveness. Researchers and engineers can apply the principles and findings of this study to design systems of various sizes, from small-scale community solutions to large-scale industrial applications.

Furthermore, the proposed system's emphasis on water conservation is paramount in the context of escalating global water scarcity. By efficiently coupling water evaporation with power generation, it maximizes the utilization of a precious resource, positioning this system as a sustainable solution capable of addressing both the pressing issues of climate change and water scarcity, thus emphasizing its pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable future.

The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to Jordan University of Science and Technology for providing them with the research grant (Grant Number: 20220312) to support this study. The authors are also very thankful to all the associated personnel in any reference who contributed in/for this research.

All relevant data are included in the paper or its Supplementary Information.

The authors declare there is no conflict.

Ahmed
F. E.
,
Hashaikeh
R.
&
Hilal
N.
2019
Solar powered desalination – Technology, energy and future outlook
.
Desalination
453
,
54
76
.
Al-hotmani
O. M. A.
,
Al-Obaidi
M. A.
,
John
Y. M.
,
Patel
R.
&
Mujtaba
I. M.
2021
An integrated system of multi effect distillation and wind power system – Evaluation of total energy saving
. In:
Computer Aided Chemical Engineering
, Vol.
50
(Türkay, M. & Gani, R. eds).
Elsevier
, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, pp.
81
86
.
Al-Nassar
W. K.
,
Neelamani
S.
,
Al-Salem
K. A.
&
Al-Dashti
H. A.
2019
Feasibility of offshore wind energy as an alternative source for the state of Kuwait
.
Energy
169
,
783
796
.
Alsaadi
A. S.
,
Francis
L.
,
Maab
H.
,
Amy
G. L.
&
Ghaffour
N.
2015
Evaluation of air gap membrane distillation process running under sub-atmospheric conditions: Experimental and simulation studies
.
Journal of Membrane Science
489
,
73
80
.
Bergman
T. L.
,
Lavine
A. S.
,
Incropera
F. P.
&
DeWitt
D. P.
2011
Introduction to Heat Transfer
.
John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, USA
.
Bingöl
F.
2023
Air density calculation at high altitude locations for wind energy use: The alpines validation
.
Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization and Environmental Effects
45
(
1
),
661
677
.
Bontempo
R.
,
Carandente
R.
&
Manna
M.
2021
A design of experiment approach as applied to the analysis of diffuser-augmented wind turbines
.
Energy Conversion and Management
235
,
113924
.
Bundschuh
J.
,
Kaczmarczyk
M.
,
Ghaffour
N.
&
Tomaszewska
B.
2021
State-of-the-art of renewable energy sources used in water desalination: Present and future prospects
.
Desalination
508
,
115035
.
Chaudhuri
A.
,
Datta
R.
,
Kumar
M. P.
,
Davim
J. P.
&
Pramanik
S.
2022
Energy conversion strategies for wind energy system: Electrical, mechanical and material aspects
.
Materials
15
(
3
),
1232
.
doi:10.3390/ma15031232
.
Ennasri
H.
,
Drighil
A.
,
Adhiri
R.
,
Fahli
A.
&
Moussetad
M.
2019
Design and simulation of a solar energy system for desalination of brackish water
.
Rigas Tehniskas Universitates Zinatniskie Raksti
23
(
1
),
257
276
.
Esmaeilion
F.
2020
Hybrid renewable energy systems for desalination
.
Applied Water Science
10
,
1
47
.
Fondation nationale des sciences politiques (FNSP)
2018
Sciences Po, Atelier de cartographie
.
Gude
V. G.
2022
Desalination powered by renewable and nuclear energy sources
. In:
A Multidisciplinary Introduction to Desalination
(Bazargan, A. ed.). River Publishers, New York
, pp.
385
413
.
Guo
Y.
,
Zhao
X.
,
Zhao
F.
,
Jiao
Z.
,
Zhou
X.
&
Yu
G.
2020
Tailoring surface wetting states for ultrafast solar-driven water evaporation
.
Energy & Environmental Science
13
(
7
),
2087
2095
.
Jones
E.
,
Qadir
M.
,
van Vliet
M. T.
,
Smakhtin
V.
&
Kang
S. M.
2019
The state of desalination and brine production: A global outlook
.
Science of the Total Environment
657
,
1343
1356
.
Katul
G. G.
&
Parlange
M. B.
1992
A Penman-Brutsaert model for wet surface evaporation
.
Water Resources Research
28
(
1
),
121
126
.
Kulganatov
A. Z.
,
Solomin
E. V.
&
Berestinov
A. A.
2023
Comparative Evaluation of Ways to Use the Waste Heat of a Wind Turbine
. In:
2023 International Conference on Industrial Engineering, Applications and Manufacturing (ICIEAM)
.
IEEE
, pp.
217
221
.
Kumar
K. S.
,
Muniamuthu
S.
&
Tharanisrisakthi
B.
2022
An investigation to estimate the maximum yielding capability of power for mini Venturi wind turbine
.
Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology
23
(
3
),
72
78
.
Li
Y.
,
Gao
T.
,
Yang
Z.
,
Chen
C.
,
Luo
W.
,
Song
J.
,
Hitz
E.
,
Jia
C.
,
Zhou
Y.
,
Liu
B.
&
Yang
B.
2017
3D-printed, all-in-one evaporator for high-efficiency solar steam generation under 1 sun illumination
.
Advanced Materials
29
(
26
),
1700981
.
Monto
M.
2020
Venturi vortex and flow facilitating turbine. United States, Monto Mark. Patent no. 20200040870
.
Rashidi
M. M.
,
Mahariq
I.
,
Murshid
N.
,
Wongwises
S.
,
Mahian
O.
&
Nazari
M. A.
2022
Applying wind energy as a clean source for reverse osmosis desalination: A comprehensive review
.
Alexandria Engineering Journal
61
(
12
),
12977
12989
.
Rosales-Asensio
E.
,
Borge-Diez
D.
,
Pérez-Hoyos
A.
&
Colmenar-Santos
A.
2019
Reduction of water cost for an existing wind-energy-based desalination scheme: A preliminary configuration
.
Energy
167
,
548
560
.
Samargandi
N.
,
Islam
M. M.
&
Sohag
K.
2023
Towards realizing vision 2030: Input dem4and for renewable energy production in Saudi Arabia
.
Gondwana Research
.
In press. Available online at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2023.05.019
.
Shah
M. M.
2014
Methods for calculation of evaporation from swimming pools and other water surfaces
.
ASHRAE Transactions
120
(
2
),
3
17
.
Shokri
A.
&
Fard
M. S.
2023
Techno-economic assessment of water desalination: Future outlooks and challenges
.
Process Safety and Environmental Protection
160
,
564
578
Sleiti
A. K.
,
Al-Ammari
W. A.
&
Al-Khawaja
M.
2021
Integrated novel solar distillation and solar single-effect absorption systems
.
Desalination
507
,
115032
.
Tanny
J.
,
Cohen
S.
,
Assouline
S.
,
Lange
F.
,
Grava
A.
,
Berger
D.
,
Teltch
B.
&
Parlange
M. B.
2008
Evaporation from a small water reservoir
.
Journal of Hydrology
351
(
1–2
),
218
229
.
Tenghiri
L.
,
Khalil
Y.
,
Abdi
F.
&
Bentamy
A.
2018
Optimum design of a small wind turbine blade for maximum power production
.
IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
161
(
1
),
012008
.
Tufa
R. A.
,
Pawlowski
S.
,
Veerman
J.
,
Bouzek
K.
,
Fontananova
E.
,
Di Profio
G.
,
Velizarov
S.
,
Crespo
J. G.
,
Nijmeijer
K.
&
Curcio
E.
2018
Progress and prospects in reverse electrodialysis for salinity gradient energy conversion and storage
.
Applied Energy
225
,
290
331
.
doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.04.111
.
Uthale
S.
,
Patil
G.
,
Sabale
M.
&
Dhamal
N.
2023
Design and analysis of Venturi turbine to recover waste air energy in industrial applications
.
Journal of Optoelectronics Laser
42
(
4
),
18
29
.
Wang
W.
,
Shi
Y.
,
Zhang
C.
,
Hong
S.
,
Shi
L.
,
Chang
J.
,
Li
R.
,
Jin
Y.
,
Ong
C.
,
Zhuo
S.
&
Wang
P.
2019
Simultaneous production of fresh water and electricity via multistage solar photovoltaic membrane distillation
.
Nature Communications
10
(
1
),
3012
.
WHO
2017
Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality
, 4th edn.
Incorporating the 1st Addendum. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
.
Xie
W.
,
Tang
P.
,
Wu
Q.
,
Chen
C.
,
Song
Z.
,
Li
T.
,
Bai
Y.
,
Lin
S.
,
Tiraferri
A.
&
Liu
B.
2022
Solar-driven desalination and resource recovery of shale gas wastewater by on-site interfacial evaporation
.
Journal of Chemical & Engineering
428
,
132624
.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits copying and redistribution for non-commercial purposes with no derivatives, provided the original work is properly cited (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).