Document Type : Research Note
Authors
- Abuzar Shakeri 1
- Farshad Farahbod 2
- seyedeh nasrin hosseinimotlagh 3
- Mohammad Sadegh Azadi Chegini 2
- Abuzar Shakeri 4
1 ShDepartment of Physics, Shi.C, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iraniraz, Fars, Iran
2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Fir.C., Islamic Azad University, Firoozabad, Iran
3 Department of Physics, Shi.C, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
4 Department of Physics, Shi.C., Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
The escalating global demand for freshwater and the depletion of natural resources necessitate the development of sustainable desalination technologies. In this study, an improved solar desalination pond incorporating nano-ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) plates is experimentally and theoretically investigated and compared with a conventional steel-based system. The incorporation of Fe₂O₃ nanoplates significantly enhanced solar energy absorption, thermal conductivity, and overall system efficiency. Results indicated that the modified pond achieved approximately 27% higher daily freshwater productivity under the tested operating conditions, with an average improvement of about 21% compared with the conventional configuration. Experimental performance was evaluated under representative summer operating conditions. The maximum energy and exergy efficiencies were achieved in July, whereas the minimum values were observed in January, highlighting a pronounced seasonal dependency. The maximum thermal and exergy efficiencies reached 0.53 and 0.078, respectively. The exergy efficiency was therefore approximately 85% lower than the thermal efficiency, reflecting the substantial irreversibilities inherent in low-temperature solar desalination processes. The findings highlight nano-ferric oxide as a low-cost, environmentally benign, and scalable enhancement material for next-generation solar desalination systems. This research contributes to advancing sustainable water production technologies suitable for arid and semi-arid regions.
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