Experimental and theoretical work investigates the principal operating parameters of a proposed desalination process working with an air humidification-dehumidification method. The main objective of this work was to determine the humid air behavior through single stage of desalination system. The experimental work studied the influence of the operating conditions such as the water temperature, the saline water level and the airflow rate on the desalination performance. The experimental results show that, the productivity of the system increases with the increase of the water temperature and the decrease of the airflow rate. The productivity of the system is moderately affected by the water temperature and airflow rate while, slightly affected by the water level. The humidifier efficiency and the thermal efficiency of the desalination system are higher for (m) over dot(a) = 14kg(a)/h at different water temperature and level. Within the studied ranges, the maximum productivity of the system reached to 8.22 kg(w)/h at 86 degrees C for water temperature and (m) over dot(a) = 14kg(a)/h. A good agreement achieved with productivity calculations. Finally, correlation for productivity of the system deduced as function of water temperature, water level and airflow rate. (C) Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.