11.0 Introduction

Solar thermal energy can be applied to any process that would otherwise require the use of heat or electromagnetic radiation (within the solar spectrum). Three main areas that will be covered in this lesson are solar drying, desalination, and chemistry applications. All three areas are closely connected to the topic of energy sustainability and related question - how can we use renewable energy for any process or application if in some foreseeable future there is no more access to fossil fuels? Furthermore, desalination technologies may become a major part of the sustainable water management, especially in the arid areas with acute water shortages. 

Learning Objectives

• Explain the active and passive designed for solar dryers.
• Estimate the parameters of the solar desalination system for an application.
• Articulate the features of solar system designs for drying and desalination processes. 

What is due for Lesson 11?

This lesson will take us one week to complete. Specific directions for different assignments are given in the table below and within this lesson pages.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please post them to our Questions and Answers discussion forum in Canvas. I will check that discussion forum daily to respond. While you are there, feel free to post your own responses if you, too, are able to help out a classmate.