Research database

POLITO will develop a model-driven tool for sorbent materials selection and development, based on machine learning and atomistic simulations. ITAE will exploit the numerical analyses to synthesize composite sorbents, with tailored properties, maximizing the water production and will optimize the reactor design through numerical/experimental activities, to define the most promising configuration, also considering its long-term stability. UNIPD will focus on the development of the condenser, being the other critical component of the technology. Innovative coatings will be made to achieve dropwise condensation. Furthermore, the filmwise condensation will be also investigated under same experimental conditions. This activity will be supported by UNITS, developing an innovative meshless simulation approach, to better define the phase-change occurring during condensation, thus supporting the component’ design. CNR-ITC will focus on the heat transfer efficiency on the secondary fluid-side. It will examine novel hybrid nanofluids, to guarantee high heat transfer rate inside the components. The nanofluids will be characterized from the thermophysical point of view and the heat transfer performance analyzed under lab-scale conditions. Eventually, the most innovative materials and small-scale components will be tested at the Clean Water Center of POLITO, where a flexible test rig is designed for testing this kind of technology. Furthermore, CNR ITAE, with the support of all the partners, will setup a numerical modelling platform to simulate the achievable performance, based on the small-scale development activities, paving the way for the definition of future upscaling of the technology and identifying possible techno-economic optimization routes to accelerate its future marketability. The partners target the publication of at least 4 papers on international journals as well as participation to 4 conferences to present the relevant outcomes of the project. The introduced innovations will also have high impact in other sectors (HVAC, dehumidification, power plants…), promising a high transferability of the developed technologies.