Optimisation of multi effect distillation based desalination system for minimum production cost for freshwater via repetitive simulation. (6th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al-hotmani, O.M.A.; Al-Obaidi, M.A.; Filippini, G.; Manenti, F.; Patel, R.; Mujtaba, I.M.
• Is Part Of: Computers & chemical engineering. Volume 135(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04-06
• Subjects: Seawater desalination -- MED system -- Simulation -- gPROMS -- Fresh water production cost; Chemical engineering -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 660.0285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2019.106710
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0098-1354

Abstract

Highlights: A package of MED_TVC system model and cost model are considered in this study. A lowest fresh water production cost of MED_TVC system is explored via simulation. A clear change of fresh water cost is found due to increase the number of effects. 17 effects of MED system attains the lowest fresh water production cost. Increasing the number of effects improves GOR with a penalty of increasing TAC. Abstract: The shortage of fresh water resources is a global problem which requires a prompt solution. Thus, the multi effect distillation (MED) was successfully used for the production of fresh water from seawater. Despite the use of MED desalination system extensively, the influence of the number of effects on the fresh water production cost has not been covered in the open literature. Thus, this paper tries to rectify this specific challenge via simulation at given operating conditions of seawater salinity and temperature. The study is performed using a detailed mathematical model contains the suitable cost correlations. gPROMS model builder suite has been used to carry out an extensive simulation. The results of the study show that the lowest fresh water production cost can be achieved at an optimal number of effects of 17 for a certain operating conditions.