Simulation and optimization of novel configurations of triple absorption heat transformer integrated to a water desalination system

In this study, a thermodynamic analysis on six different configurations of triple absorption heat transformer (TAHT) utilizing lithium bromide and water as the working fluid of the cycle integrated with water desalination system has been conducted. The energy source of the desalination system is provided by high temperature heat of the TAHT which was utilizing the waste heat from a textile factory. A thermodynamic model in Engineering Equation Solver (EES) was developed for the performance analysis of the system such as; coefficient of performance (COP), exergy coefficient of performance (ECOP), quantity of distilled water and utilized heat for the use of desalination. Also an optimization was made with respect to the main parameters of the cycle in order to maximize the amount of the freshwater production rate for all configurations. Six alternative configurations were made by different arrangement of heat exchanger units within the system. It is found that last modified configuration can increase the COP and production rate of fresh water compared with other configurations. The results show that the optimized amount of water output obtained from the last proposed configuration was 0.1307 kg/s which is enough to supply 1131 residential units.