Passive vapor generation systems with interfacial solar heat localization enable high-efficiency low-cost desalination. In particular, recent progress combining interfacial solar heating and vaporization enthalpy recycling through a capillary-fed multistage architecture, known as the thermally-localized multistage solar still (TMSS), significantly improves the performance of passive solar desalination. Yet, state-of-the-art experimental demonstrations of solar-to-vapor conversion efficiency are still limited since the dominant factors and the general design principle for TMSS were not well-understood. In this work, we show optimizing the overall heat and mass transport in a multistage configuration plays a key role for further improving the performance. This understanding also increases the flexibility of material choices for the TMSS design. Using a low-cost and free-of-salt accumulation TMSS architecture, we experimentally demonstrated a record-high solar-to-vapor conversion efficiency of 385% with a production rate of 5.78 L m−2 h−1 under one-sun illumination, where more than 75% of the total production was collected through condensation. This work not only significantly improves the performance of existing passive solar desalination technologies for portable and affordable drinking water, but also provides a comprehensive physical understanding and optimization principle for TMSS systems.

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Ultrahigh-efficiency desalination via a thermally-localized multistage solar still

https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54376/Download/54376__17490__dd6fd639a69a462e9b3428c85bb9d895.pdf

Energy for desalination: A state-of-the-art review

Emerging thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes for reverse osmosis: A review.

Environmental impact of desalination technologies: A review

Biological membranes can achieve remarkably high permeabilities, while maintaining ideal selectivities, by relying on well-defined internal nanoscale structures in the form of membrane proteins. Here, we apply such design strategies to desalination membranes. A series of polyamide desalination membranes—which were synthesized in an industrial-scale manufacturing line and varied in processing conditions but retained similar chemical compositions—show increasing water permeability and active layer thickness with constant sodium chloride selectivity. Transmission electron microscopy measurements enabled us to determine nanoscale three-dimensional polyamide density maps and predict water permeability with zero adjustable parameters. Density fluctuations are detrimental to water transport, which makes systematic control over nanoscale polyamide inhomogeneity a key route to maximizing water permeability without sacrificing salt selectivity in desalination membranes.

Nanoscale control of internal inhomogeneity enhances water transport in desalination membranes

https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa48864/Download/0048864-07032019141310.pdf

Reverse osmosis desalination: A state-of-the-art review

Assessment of the pyrolysis products from halophyte Salicornia bigelovii cultivated in a desert environment

Recycling of post-consumption food waste through pyrolysis: Feedstock characteristics, products analysis, reactor performance, and assessment of worldwide implementation potentials

Mohamed Badrelzaman

Papers

Reverse osmosis desalination: A state-of-the-art review

Assessment of the pyrolysis products from halophyte Salicornia bigelovii cultivated in a desert environment

Recycling of post-consumption food waste through pyrolysis: Feedstock characteristics, products analysis, reactor performance, and assessment of worldwide implementation potentials

Characterization of Fuel from the Pyrolysis of Post-Consumption Food Waste in an Auger Reactor