Energy, economic and environmental (3E) analysis and multi-objective optimization of a spray-assisted low-temperature desalination system

Q. Chen, M. Kum Ja, Y. Li and K.J. Chua

Energy, 2018, vol. 151, issue C, 387-401

Abstract: Energetic, environmental and economic (3E) performances are major effective criteria that one needs to consider when designing and optimizing a desalination plant. In order to optimize all the three variables, it is important to determine an optimal system configuration and operation strategy at early design stages. Therefore, 3E analyses and multi-objective optimization of desalination systems are the areas of significant research interests. This paper specially conducts a 3E analysis and multi-objective optimization exercise of a spray-assisted low-temperature desalination technology through a judiciously developed mathematical model. Several optimization scenarios are studied to emphasize different performance variables. A multi-objective optimization is also performed to obtain the best trade-offs among these variables. Results revealed that the specific energy consumption highly conflicts with the initial investment, while the specific CO2 emission and the initial investment present a positive correlation. The specific CO2 emission can be minimized through the use of upward spray condensers, while the initial cost can be reduced by designing more compact spray evaporators and using cheaper materials.

Keywords: Spray-assisted low-temperature desalination; 3E analyses; Multi-objective optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544218304596
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:151:y:2018:i:c:p:387-401

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.03.051

Access Statistics for this article

Energy is currently edited by Henrik Lund and Mark J. Kaiser

More articles in Energy from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().