A thermally-driven seawater desalination system: Proof of concept and vision for future sustainability

Since the 1970s, commercial-scale thermally-driven seawater desalination plants have been powered by low-grade energy sources, drawn either with low-pressure bled-steam from steam turbines or solar renewable harvested that are supplied at relatively low temperatures. Despite increasing trend of reverse osmosis plants, role thermal methods (such as multi-stage flashing and multi-effect distillation) in GCC countries is still relevant Arabian Gulf, arising higher salinity, frequent algae blooms their ability to utilize temperature heat sources. Given urgent need for lowering both capital operating costs all processes within industry better thermodynamic adaptation input present paper addresses abovementioned issues investigating direct contact spray evaporation condensation (DCSEC) method. A DCSEC system comprises only hollow chambers (devoid membranes tubes, minimal use chemical maintenance) where vapor generation (flashing) utilizes enthalpy difference between sprayed feed saturated vessels. Concomitantly, condensed droplets cooler water (potable) adjacent condenser vessels, employing a simple design concept. We detailed real experiments data first time. The production cost calculated $0.52/m3, which one lowest figures reported compared commercial presented Global Water Intelligence.