Computer package for design/rating of thermal desalination processes
A computer package has been developed for design and simulation of thermal desalination processes. This was motivated by unavailability of such packages in the literature or on a commercial scale. The package includes models for various systems of the single effect evaporation (SEE), the multistage flash (MSF), and the multi effect evaporation (MEE). The MSF systems include brine circulation, brine mixing, once through, and thermal vapor compression. The MEE configurations include parallel and forward feed systems. The SEE and MEE systems include the stand-alone and the vapor compression units, Vapor compression systems include mechanical, thermal, absorption, and adsorption heal pumps, All models are based on a well-developed set of material and energy balance equations as well as correlations for evaluation of physical properties, heat transfer coefficient, and thermodynamic losses. All mathematical models have been developed and previously tested and validated by authors against available industrial and literature data. Ail models generate the design and simulation variables, which have the strongest effect on the unit product cost. These include the thermal performance ratio, the specific heat transfer area, the conversion ratio, the specific power consumption, and the specific now rate of cooling water. The computer package includes displays for process design, rating, now charting, performance calculations, help Files, and graphing of process schematics and performance curves. The package allows for parameter selection, printing of forms and data files, and selection of parameters for performance charts. The package performs checks on parameter range and prevents pinch conditions in various heat exchange processes. The package have been tested in a number of undergraduate, graduate, and training classes and found simple to use and providing fast and accurate results. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
desalination thermal processes modeling computer package