Economic and thermal feasibility of multi stage flash desalination plant with brine–feed mixing and cooling

Majed M. Alhazmy

Energy, 2014, vol. 76, issue C, 1029-1035

Abstract: Improving the performance of MSF (multi stage flash) desalination plants is a major challenge for desalination industry. High feed temperature in summer shortens the evaporation range of MSF plants and limits their yield. Installing a cooler at the feed intake expands the evaporation range of MSF plants and increases their yield. Adding a cooler and a mixing chamber increases the capital and operational costs of MSF plants. This paper presents thermal and economic analysis of installing a feed cooler at the plant intake. The profit of selling the additionally produced water must cover the cost of the cooling system. The selling prices for a reasonable breakeven depend on the selected cooling temperature. The cost of installing coolers capable of maintaining feed–brine mixture temperatures of 18–20 °C shows breakeven selling prices of 0.5–0.9 $/m3. These prices fall within the current range of potable water selling prices.

Keywords: MSF desalination plants; Brine mixing and cooling; Exergy; Economic analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:76:y:2014:i:c:p:1029-1035

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2014.09.022

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