The humidification chamber is a vital component of the humidification-dehumidification cycle that plays an essential role in determining the effectiveness of this system. In this study, the combined effect of heating and humidifying processes in the plate type humidification chamber, the so-called solar air humidifier is investigated experimentally and using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. A lab-scale experimental setup was built consisting of a parabolic reflector coupled by a radiant heating coil, a glass plate and water tray with an insulation cover. Two parameters were investigated in the experimental phase of the study, namely, heat flux and inlet air flow rate. The mathematical model was validated against the experimental findings, and the results were in a close agreement. In addition to the heat flux and air flow rate, the effect of the height of the humidification channel was investigated theoretically. For the different heat fluxes, it has been found that the maximum evaporation rate is achieved at the smallest channel height and flow velocity. Also, the effectiveness of the humidification chamber depended strongly on the inlet conditions, and it decreased by increasing the input heat flux. © 2019 International Information and Engineering Technology Association. All rights reserved.

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