A discussion of “Heat pumps as a source of heat energy for desalination of seawater”

Abstract

The paper, “Heat pumps as a source of heat energy for desalination of seawater”, was published in Desalination [Vol. 139, 2001]. In the paper, heat pumps using agent R12 or water and vapor were introduced to be used as a source of heat energy for desalination. The cyclic processes of heat pump were illustrated in T-S and P-H thermodynamic diagrams under the conditions ofcondensation temperature at 120°C and an evaporative temperature of 20°C, but there are some questions that need to be discussed. First, thermodynamic diagrams of the transcritical cycle of heat pumps using agent R12 are given. Second, the ratio between mass flows of the water vapor and agent R12 is discussed and the heat balance equations of desalination are given. Third, calculations from a 5 t/d desalination plant are given as an example.