Performance Evaluation of an Evaporative Cooling Pad for Humidification-Dehumidification Desalination

The perfect combination of renewable energy and desalination technologies is the key to meeting water demands in a cost-effective,efficient and environmentally friendly way.The desalination technique by humidificationdehumidification is non-conventional approach suitable for areas with low infrastructure(such as rural and decentralized regions)since it does not require permanent maintenance.In this study,this technology is implemented by using solar energy as a source of thermal power.A seawater desalination unit is considered,which consists of a chamber with two evaporators(humidifiers),a wetted porous material made of a corrugated cellulose cardboard and a condenser(dehumidifier).The evaporation system is tested with dry bulb temperature and relative air humidity data.The results of numerical simulations indicate that higher inlet air velocities(from 0.75 to 3 m/s)lead to a decrease in theΔT,ΔRH,and effectiveness.With the air remaining within the evaporator for 30 cm,the temperature differential increases to 5.7°C,accompanied by a 39%rise in relative humidity contrast.These changes result in a significant enhancement in humidification efficiency,achieving a remarkable efficiency level of 78%.However,a wettability value of 630 m^(2)/m^(3)leads to a smaller reduction of these parameters.Increasing the pad thickness,particularly to 0.3 m,improves performance by boostingΔT,ΔRH,and effectiveness,especially for pads with a wettability of 630 m^(2)/m^(3),for which superior performances are predicted by the numerical tests.

Experimental Investigation of a Vertical Tubular Desalination Unit Using Humidification-Dehumidification Process

A vertical tubular desalination unit with shell and tube structure was built to perform humidification and dehumidification simultaneously on the tube and shell side of the column, respectively. The effects of several operating conditions on the productivity and thermal efficiency of the column were investigated. The results show that both the productivity and thermal efficiency of the column enhance with the elevation of the inlet water temperature. The flow rates of water and carrier gas both have optimal operating ranges, which are 10-30 kg·h^-1 and 4-7kg·h^-1 for the present column, respectively. Meanwhile, the increase of external steam flow rate will promote the productivity of the column but reduce its thermal efficiency.

Simulation of the Internal Transport Phenomena for PEM Fuel Cells with Different Modes of Flow

A numerical model for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is developed, which can simulate such basic transport phenomena as gas-liquid two-phase flow in a working fuel cell. Boundary conditions for both the conventional and the interdigitated modes of flow are presented on a three-dimensional basis. Numerical techniques for this model are discussed in detail. Validation shows good agreement between simulating results and experimental data. Furthermore, internal transport phenomena are discussed and compared for PEM fuel cells with conventional and interdigitated flows. It is found that the dead-ended structure of an interdigitated flow does increase the oxygen mass fraction and decrease the liquid water saturation in the gas diffusion layer as compared to the conventional mode of flow. However, the cathode humidification is important for an interdigitated flow to acquire better performance than a conventional flow fuel cell.

An ultrasonic humidification fluorescent tracing method for detecting unsaturated atmospheric water absorption by the aerial parts of desert plants

Atmospheric water absorption by plants has been explored for more than two centuries, and the aerial parts of plants, particularly the leaves of certain species, have been demonstrated to have an ability to absorb and utilize saturated atmospheric water such as fog, dew and condensed water. So far, however, there have been few studies on the aerial parts of desert plants in their absorption of unsaturated water from the atmosphere. This study presents an ultrasonic humidification fluorescent tracing method of detecting unsaturated atmospheric water absorption by the aerial parts of desert plants. We constructed an organic glass room based on the sizes of field plants. Then, the aboveground parts of the plants were humidified in the sealed glasshouse using an ultrasonic humidifier containing fluorescent reagents. The humidity and wetting time were controlled by turning on or off the humidifier according to the reading of a thermo-hygrometer suspended in the glasshouse. Fluorescence microscopy was employed to observe these plant samples. This method can generate unsaturated atmospheric water vapor and incorporate other fluorescent reagents or water-soluble chemical reagents for gasified humidification. In addition, it can identify plant parts that absorb unsaturated atmospheric water from the air, detect water absorption sites on the surface of leaves or tender stems, and determine the ability of tissues or microstructure of aerial parts to absorb water. This method provides a direct visual evidence for the inspection of leaf or tender stem microstructure in response to unsaturated atmospheric water absorption. Moreover, this method shows that aqueous pores in the cuticles of leaves or tender stems of desert plants are large enough to allow the passage of ionic fluorescent brightener with a molecular weight of up to 917 g/mol. Thus, this paper provides an important approach that explores the mechanism by which desert plants utilize unsaturated atmospheric water.

Study on Calculations of Humidification Tower with Humid Air Turbine Cycle at High Temperature and Pressure

Humidification is an important step in humid air turbine system. The calculation on humidification is carried out at 423.15—573.15K, 5—15MPa. The results suggest that to produce high-enthalpy moist air, high water temperature and large water flow are needed. The water temperature is the most sensitive parameter to the humidification tower. And it is better for the humidification tower to work at temperature higher than 523 K when the system pressure is higher than 5 MPa. The comparison between the model used in this paper and ideal model shows that the ideal model can be used in simulation to simply the calculation when the temperature is lower than 473 K and pressure is lower than 5 MPa.

Water Desalination Using a Humidification-Dehumidification Technique—A Detailed Review

Solar humidification-dehumidification desalination technology has been reviewed in detail in this paper. This review would also throw light on the scope for further research and recommendations in active distillation system by humidification and dehumidification (HDH). Also in this article, a review has been done on different types of (HDH) systems. Thermal modeling was done for various types of humidification and dehumidification(HDH) distillation system. From the present review, it is found that the humidification-dehumidification desalination process HDH will be a suitable choice for fresh water production when the demand is decentralized. HDH is a low temperature process where total required thermal energy can be obtained from solar energy. Capacity of HDH units is between that produced by conventional methods and solar stills. Moreover, HDH is distinguished by simple operation and maintenance. Also from the present condensed review, it was observed that an increase in evaporator and condenser surface areas significantly improves system productivity. But prior to implementing any techniques in design improvement, it is necessary to optimize the MEH unit by optimizing its component size to understand the effect of feed water and air flow rates. Although a fair amount of simulation studies have been conducted in the past, further design simulation is required to fully understand the complicated effects of air and water flow rates, the optimum size of individual components or modules of the unit and to generate a comprehensive model for the system.

Humidification vibration deformation behavior of intact loess

A parameter, known as the parameter of humidification vibration deformation, was proposed, describing quantitatively the impact of water content on vibration settlement deformation, and its relationship with humidification water content, dynamic shear stress peak value, initial consolidation stress and vibration frequency was built. The result shows that 1） the parameter of humidification vibration deformation increases with the vibration shear stress peak value increasing. 2） The humidification water content has significant influence on the curve of the parameter of humidification vibration deformation and the peak vibration shear stress. When the humidification water content is low, the curve increases slowly. However, when the humidification water content is high, the curve increases rapidly. 3） Initial consolidation stress has significant influence on the humidification vibration deformation coefficient. When initial consolidation stress is not large enough to destroy the loess structure, with initial consolidation stress increasing, the humidification vibration deformation coefficient decreases. On the contrary, the humidification vibration deformation coefficient increases with initial consolidation stress increasing. 4） With the increase of vibration time, the parameter of humidification vibration settlement shows an increasing trend overall. The initial dynamic shear stress peak value and humidification water content all have significant effects on the curve of the parameter of humidification vibration settlement and vibration time. However, the humidification water content is even more significant.

Characteristics of Drought and Humidification Based on Standardized Precipitation Index in Weifang City during the Past 50 Years

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the evolution characteristics and occurrence patterns of droughts and floods in Weifang City. [Method] Based on the monthly precipitation data during 1961-2010 obtained from nine meteorological sta- tions of Weifang City, by using standardized precipitation index, monthly SPI index of Weifang City during the past 50 years was calculated to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of drought and humidification in Weifang City. [Result] The results showed that the variation of drought and humidification had stage characteristics in Weifang City, which was relatively humid in the 1960s and 1970s and developed from extremely humid in early 1960s to dry in late 1970s, persistent drought was observed throughout the range of Weifang City in the 1980s, and the variation tended to be smooth during the 1990s-2000s. Spatial distribution of drought and humidification in Weifang City showed certain regional characteristics. In the 1960s, the mid-west region of Weifang City was relatively humid, while the southeastern region was relatively dry; in the 1970s, there was little difference among the drought and humidification extent in each region; in the 1980s, each region of Weifang City was generally dry, specifically, drought in the southeastern region was the most severe, while drought in the northern region was the slightest; in the 1990s and 2000s, variation of drought and humidification in each region of Weifang City was basically the same. The uneven spatial and temporal distribution of precipi- tation led to abnormal distribution of drought and humidification in some areas, such as the abnormal phenomenon in 1999; the spatial distribution of drought and humidi- fication duration in each generation had their own characteristics, which brought diffi- culties to the unified deployment of drought and flood control departments. [Conclu- sion] This study provided theoretical basis for the drought resistance, waterlogging prevention and disaster reduction in Weifang City under the background of climate change.

Experimental Study on the Effect of Humidification on the Pollution Characteristics of Particulate Matter in the Office

Indoor air quality has a direct impact on human health. Indoor air quality has aroused great concern. This experimental study compares the effects of different water humidification on the indoor particulate pollution characteristics, and analyzes the mass concentration and the particulate number concentration distribution of different sizes of particulates with time under each condition of the purified water humidification, the tap water humidification and the cold boiled water humidification in the office. The results show that under the three kinds of wetting conditions, the concentration of the fine particulates is higher. More minerals are contained in the tap water and the cold boiled water, so the two kinds of humidification have more significant impact on indoor particulate matter. But the purified water humidification has nearly no significant effect on it. The calcium and magnesium ionic compounds are partly removed after the water boiled, so the cold boiled water humidification has less impact on the indoor particulate matter than the tap water humidification. The mass concentration and particulate number concentration of the particle may also be affected due to the frequency of ultrasonic vibration.

Experimental Investigation of Modified Polypropylene Shell-Tube Column Using Humidification-Dehumidification Desalination Process

The polypropylene tubes with surface modification were installed in a baffled shell-tube column to conduct the thermally coupled humidification and dehumidification desalination process. The effects of several operating parameters （feed water temperature, water flow rate, carrier air flow rate, and external steam flow rate） on the productivity and thermal efficiency of this column were investigated experimentally. The results show that the feed water temperature has a positive effect on the productivity and thermal efficiency, while the flow rates of external steam, feed water, and carrier air should be optimized within the ranges of 0.006-0.020 kg·m^-2·s^-1 , 0.005-0.015 kg·m^-2·s^-1, and 0.7-1.3kg·m^-2·s^-1, respectively; the flow rates of feed water and carrier air are greatly controlled by the wetting state of the tubes. In comparison with the previous desalination column installing the coppery tubes, the present column can reach nearly the same production capacity of distilled water, which demonstrates the feasibility of applying such a plastic column to the humidification and dehumidification desalination process.

Modeling and identification of a PEM fuel cell humidification system

A theoretical model of a humidifier of proton exchange membrane （PEM） fuel cell systems is developed and analyzed first in this paper. The model shows that there exists a strong nonlinearity in the system. Then, the system is identified using a wavelet networks method. To avoid the curse-of-dimensionality problem, a class of wavelet networks proposed by Billings is employed. The experimental data acquired from the test bench are used for identification. The one-step-ahead predictions and the five-step-ahead predictions are compared with the real measurements, respectively. It shows that the identified model can effectively describe the real system.

Study on the Effect of Moisture Conditioned for Brown Rice on Milling Characteristic

The effect of moisture conditioned for brown rice （moisture content of 1.45%） on milling characteristic was studied in this paper. Milling experiments were conducted for the brown rice, which were conditioned under different amount of humidification and duration. Software SAS was used to analyze the effect of amount of humidification and duration on the head rice yield and energy consumption of milled brown rice. The reasonable parameters including amount of humidification of 1.45% and duration of 60-90 rain were obtained, which decreased energy consumption by 30% and increased head rice yield by 10%. Therefore, the method of moisture conditioned can improve milling quality of stored paddy due to the hardness and crisp of paddy reduced.

Collection,curation and the use of humidification to restore nest shape in a research museum bird nest collection

Background:Bird nests are an important part of avian ecology.They are a powerful tool for studying not only the birds that built them,but a wide array of topics ranging from parasitology,urbanisation and climate change to evolu-tion.Despite this,bird nests tend to be underrepresented in natural history collections,a problem that should be redressed through renewed focus by collecting institutions.Methods:Here we outline the history and current best practice collection and curatorial methods for the nest col-lection of the Australian National Wildlife Collection(ANWC).We also describe an experiment conducted on nests in the ANWC using ultrasonic humidification to restore the shape of nests damaged by inappropriate storage.Results:The experiment showed that damaged nests can be successfully reshaped to close to their original dimen-sions.Indeed,restored nests were significantly closer to their original shape than they were prior to restoration.Thus,even nests damaged by years of neglect may be fully incorporated into active research collections.Best practice techniques include extensive note taking and photography in the field,subsampling of nests that cannot or should not be collected,appropriate field storage,metadata management,and prompt treatment upon arrival at the collec-tion facility.Conclusions:Renewed focus on nest collections should include appropriate care and restoration of current col-lections,as well as expansion to redress past underrepresentation.This could include collaboration with researchers studying or monitoring avian nesting ecology,and nest collection after use in bird species that rebuild anew each nesting attempt.Modern expansion of museum nest collections will allow researchers and natural history collections to fully realise the scientific potential of these complex and beautiful specimens.

Two Models of DMFC under Effects of Cathode Humidification Temperature an d Anode Flow Rate

This paper introduced a novel self-adjustment of parameters of fuzzy neural networks. Then, the effects of cathode humidification temperature and anode flow rate on the performance of direct methanol fuel celI（DMFC） were described respectively. Two dynamic performance models of DMFC under the influences of cathode humidification temperature and anode flow rate were established separately based on fuzzy neural networks. The simulation results show the accuracy of the models established is satisfactory.

Effects of Tube Depth and Infusion Rate of Continuous Humidification by Endotracheal Intubation on Humidification Effect

Objective: To investigate the continuous humidification tube insertion depth of endotracheal intubation and the flow rate of the wetting effect. Methods: From October 2008 to May 2010, among 132 patients of oral and maxillofacial surgery with tracheal intubation, continuous infusion can be adjusted to the wet method;according to the wet pipe, insertion depth of the flow rate is divided into four groups, by four different depths and velocities of the wetting effect, to be analyzed. Results: B group was significantly lower than other groups satisfied with indicators of four significantly different effects of humidification. Conclusion: When continuous humidification tube insertion depth of endotracheal intubation is 10 - 12 cm, and flow rate is 15 - 20 ml/h, the wetting effect will achieve greater satisfaction.

Study of the Desulfurization Process and Gas-Solid-Liquid Phase Distribution under the Complex Humidification Conditions in Dense Tower

In making the gas-solid-liquid phase analysis, based on the collaborative study of the internal and external humidification ratio of desulfurization efficiency, determine the humidifier ratio within 60% to 75%, that can make the best balance between the respective merits of a simple tower humidifiers tower humidifier way, optimizing the overall desulfurization reaction, effectively reducing the sticky wall, stick in the desulfurization efficiency and reduce the wall to achieve a balance between the balance, without increasing the sorbent and process water, under the premise can promote the desulfurization reaction, improve the desulfurization sorbent utilization and efficiency, help desulfurization reaction system is stable, efficient and economic operation, the gas-liquid-solid three-phase to achieve better synergy.

A Review Study of Experimental and Theoretical Humidification Dehumidification Solar Desalination Technology

Most of the desalination technologies consume a huge quantity of energy resulting from petroleum products in the form of heat or electrical energy. Solar desalination is a promisingly sustainable freshwater production technology. Solar desalination humidification dehumidification process showed the best approach as it is of the highest overall energy efficiency. In this review paper, a detailed study of the previous work is performed on solar humidification dehumidification desalination techniques experimentally and theoretically. Also in this review, different types of HDH systems were mentioned. The review showed that the humidification dehumidification desalination systems are suitable for decentralized demand. On the other hand, capacity of HDH units is not as large as conventional methods or small as solar stills. Finally, this study threw light on the scope of the parameters which have a considerable influence on increasing the freshwater output of the HDH systems as feed water flow rate, air flow rate, and design of the evaporator, condenser, and packing material. A brief economical study and a comparison of the costs per liter are performed for various humidification dehumidification desalination systems presented in this study.

Experimental analysis for the dynamic initiation mechanism of debris flows

Debris flow is one of the major secondary mountain hazards following the earthquake. This study explores the dynamic initiation mechanism of debris flows based on the strength reduction of soils through static and dynamic triaxial tests. A series of static and dynamic triaxial tests were conducted on samples in the lab. The samples were prepared according to different grain size distribution, degree of saturation and earthquake magnitudes. The relations of dynamic shear strength, degree of saturation, and number of cycles are summarized through analyzing experimental results. The findings show that the gravelly soil with a wide and continuous gradation has a critical degree of saturation of approximately 87%, above which debris flows will be triggered by rainfall, while the debris flow will be triggered at a critical degree of saturation of about 73% under the effect of rainfall and earthquake(M>6.5). Debris flow initiation is developed in the humidification process, and the earthquake provides energy for triggering debris flows. Debris flows are more likely to be triggered at the relatively low saturation under dynamic loading than under static loading. The resistance of debris flow triggering relies more on internal frication angle than soil cohesion under the effect of rainfall and earthquake. The conclusions provide an experimental analysis method for dynamic initiation mechanism of debris flows.

Effect of Varying Aerosol Concentrations and Relative Humidity on Visibility and Particle Size Distribution in Urban Atmosphere

Atmospheric aerosol concentrations have been found to change constantly due to the influence of source,winds and human activities over short time periods.This has proved to be a constraint to the study of varied aerosol concentrations in urban atmosphere alongside changing relative humidity and how it affects visibility and aerosol particle size distribution.In this research simulation was carried out using Optical Properties of Aerosols and Clouds(OPAC 4.0)average concentration setup for relative humidity(RH)0-99%at visible wavelength 0.4-0.8μm to vary the concentrations of three aerosol components:WASO(Water-soluble),INSO(Insoluble)and SOOT.The Angstrom exponents(α),the curvatures(α2)and atmospheric turbidities(β)were obtained from the regression analysis of Kaufman’s first and second order polynomial equations for visibility.The research determined the mean exponent of the aerosol size growth curve(μ)from the effective hygroscopic growth(geff)and the humidification factors(γ)from visibility enhancement f(RH,λ).The mean exponent of aerosol size distributions(υ)was determined fromμandγ.The results showed that with varied WASO,INSO and SOOT concentrations respectively at different RH,aerosol particle size distributions showed bimodal characteristics with dominance of fine mode particles.Hazy atmospheric conditions prevailed with increasing turbidity.

Optimized Operation of a Solar-Driven Thermoelectric Dehumidification System for Fresh Water Production

The work presents a parametric analysis of the performance of a solar-driven thermoelectric system to dehumidify air and produce fresh water. The system is combined with a solar distiller humidifying ambient air to enhance distillate output to meet the specified fresh water needs for a residential application. The presented system is a totally renewable energy-based system taking advantage of the clean solar energy. A model is developed to simulate the air dehumidification process using TEC （thermoelectrically cooled） channels. An optimization problem for setting system operational parameters is formulated to meet the fresh water requirement of 10 liters per day for a typical residential application in the Lebanese coastal humid climate. Using five TEC channels of length of 1.2 m and area of 0.07 - 0.05 m^2 integrated with 1.2 m^2 solar distiller is capable of meeting the water demand, where the air mass flow rate introduced to each TEC channel is optimally set at 0.0155 kg/s. The optimal electrical current input to the TEC modules from the photovoltaic solar panels varied depending on the month and is set at 2.2 A in June, 2.1 A in July and 2.0 A in August, September and October per each TEC module.