What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to investigate a sodium polyacrylate/CaCl2 composite for efficient desalination under Saudi Arabian conditions.

February 12, 2026Polymers3 citationsOpen Access

High-Productivity Hybrid Adsorption Desalination Using a Sodium Polyacrylate/CaCl2 Composite with Dual Ejectors and Humidification–Dehumidification Under Saudi Arabian Climate Conditions

RMRidha Ben Mansour AAAhmed S. AlsamanKing Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals EAEhab S. AliKing Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

Key Points

The aim is to investigate a sodium polyacrylate/CaCl2 composite for efficient desalination under Saudi Arabian conditions.
Developed and validated a dynamic model of the adsorption desalination cycle.
Evaluated two operating modes: with and without heat recovery.
Integrated a dual-ejector with a humidification-dehumidification unit.
Achieved freshwater production rates of 41–56 m3/ton·day without heat recovery.
With heat recovery, production rates increased to 95–155 m3/ton·day.
Cost of freshwater reduced to about 1.34 $/m3 under solar conditions with heat recovery.

Abstract

This study investigates the utilization of a sodium polyacrylate (SP) /CaCl2 composite as an adsorbent in a low-grade-heat desalination configuration designed for Saudi Arabian conditions. A dynamic system model was developed and validated for an adsorption desalination (AD) cycle integrated with a dual-ejector and a humidification–dehumidification (HDH) unit. Two operating modes were evaluated, including a production-oriented configuration that applies internal evaporator–condenser heat recovery (HR) when no cooling effect is required. Without HR, the AD–EJ–HDH system achieves 41–56 m3/ton·day SDWP and 2. 6–2. 9 GOR, with a freshwater cost of 1. 8–2. 4 /m3 under solar driving and 0. 70–0. 90 /m3 under waste heat. With HR, performance increases to SDWP 95–155 m3/ton·day and GOR 2. 9–3. 1, while costs decrease to about 1. 34 /m3 (solar) and 0. 38 /m3 (waste heat) in June. The SP/CaCl2 composite yields about 85% higher freshwater production than silica gel in the same system, highlighting the material’s potential for high-output hybrid adsorption desalination in hot-climate regions.

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