Performance Enhancement of Industrial Solar Desalination Ponds Using Ferric Oxide Nanoparticles: An Energy–Exergy Analysis

Shakeri, Abuzar; Farahbod, Farshad; Hosseinimotlagh, Seyedeh Nasrin; Azadi Chegini, Mohammad Sadegh; Shakeri, Abuzar

doi:10.22044/rera.2026.17397.1512

Document Type : Research Note

Authors

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

10.22044/rera.2026.17397.1512

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.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Solar Thermal Engineering

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Renewable Energy Research and Applications

Performance Enhancement of Industrial Solar Desalination Ponds Using Ferric Oxide Nanoparticles: An Energy–Exergy Analysis

References

References

Volume 7, Issue 2
July 2026
Pages 397-414

Performance Enhancement of Industrial Solar Desalination Ponds Using Ferric Oxide Nanoparticles: An Energy–Exergy Analysis

References

References

Volume 7, Issue 2July 2026Pages 397-414

Volume 7, Issue 2
July 2026
Pages 397-414