A 10 kilowatt-thermal input multiple effect distillation pilot for concentrated solar power and desalination of seawater plant

The use of modular parallel plate falling film heat exchangers, optimization of thermal vapor compressor (TVC) entrainment ratio, and overall process thermal management increase the flexibility and overall efficiency of Multiple Effect Distillation (MED). A generic computational MED system model with a TVC and heat addition using classical compressible gas dynamic relationships is employed. An algorithm is presented which optimizes the performance ratio (PR) thru variation of the number of TVC and entrainment ratio. The result is minimization of exergetic losses at the lowest possible inlet pressure condition to the first MED stage, reducing required motive steam pressure. Capture of unused thermal losses from low temperature sources, to heat the TVC inlet motive steam, reduces the required motive steam temperature. The results of a parametric study confirm the Brayton power cycle analysis that the use of MED-TVC thermal harvest configuration for integration into a Concentrated Solar Power - Desalination of Seawater (CSP-DSW) dual-purpose plant improves the overall performance of both systems. Furthermore, the integration of a control system related to the inlet seawater temperature and fluctuations from the thermal heat input into the MED significantly increase the performance of the system by around 20%. Preliminary modeling of the MED-TVC with heat addition shows a decrease in overall thermal losses of the dual-purpose plant; the system generates more power and similar potable water for the same solar flux. The design for a 10 kWt input, single-stage and four-stage MED design is given for use in further characterization of the MED-TVC process characteristics and for integration into a proof of principle CSP-DSW pilot.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Vozar McKnight, Andrea L.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Georgiadis, John G.

• Multiple Effect Distillation
• Concentrated Solar Power and Desalination of Seawater (CSP-DSW)
• Thermal Vapor Compression (TVC)
• Seawater Desalination

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2010 Andrea L. Vozar McKnight

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/18291

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/18291