Thermohydraulic study of a seawater desalination unit

Abstract

This Ph.D. thesis delves into the intricate realm of Desalination, focusing on Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD) and its optimization through various algorithmic approaches. The research navigates through the genesis of desalination, exploring both thermal and membrane methodologies, and subsequently dives into the membrane characterization techniques and materials. A modeling design of DCMD is presented, highlighting its configuration, properties, and inherent challenges in its modeling, such as temperature polarization. The thesis further explores optimization in DCMD, introducing novel approaches like the Bonobo Optimizer (BO) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithms, providing a mathematical model for each, and discussing their applicability in DCMD systems. Through simulation, the research elucidates the effects of various operating parameters on the total cross-membrane flux. It presents a comparative analysis of operating conditions on DCMD performance. The thesis encapsulates single and multi-objective optimization using BO and PSO, providing a comprehensive view into the optimization in DCMD performance, thereby contributing to the field by addressing technological and algorithmic advancements in desalination processes.