Enhanced Humidification–Dehumidification (HDH) Systems for Sustainable Water Desalination

Water scarcity is a pressing global issue driving the need for efficient and sustainable water reuse desalination technologies. In last two decades, humidification–dehumidification (HDH) has emerged as promising method small-scale decentralized systems. This paper presents comprehensive review of recent scientific literature highlighting key advancements, challenges, potential future directions HDH research. Because process suffers from low heat mass transfer, well thermodynamic limitations due to mild operating conditions, this work indicates three main strategies enhancement: (1) Advanced Heat Mass Transfer Techniques, (2) Integration with Other Technologies, (3) Optimization System Operative Conditions. Particularly advanced systems, reference GOR values exceed 3, certain studies have demonstrated achieve even higher values, approaching 10. terms recovery ratio, there appear be no significant constraints, recycling brine prepared in innovative schemes can surpass 50%. Considering electricity costs, range falls between 1 3 kWh m–3. Notably, multi-stage processes system couplings lead increased pressure drops and, consequently, costs. Although consistent data are lacking, baseline SEC value approximately 360 kJ kg–1, corresponding 100 For comparable data, it advisable incorporate both thermal electric inputs, using power plant efficiency 0.4 converting duty electrical power. When considering utilization low-temperature solar waste heat, proposed exergy-based comparison vital; perspective reveals that low-carbon domain, II-law efficiencies surpassing 0.10, achieved.