Low temperature, multi-effect distillation for cogeneration yielding the most efficient sea water desalination system

Abstract

IDE Technologies Ltd. (IDE) has commissioned in March 1988 and in July 1990, two 10,000 tons per day low temperature multi-effect distillation (LT-MED) plants each linked to a low pressure 3.1 MW turbine (as a replacement to an aging MSF plant), demonstrating a total specific energy consumption of below 5.0 kWh per ton of desalinated water. During the last four years IDE has also commissioned three smaller LT-MED plants, 1200 to 2200 t/d, utilizing exhaust waste heat of diesel generator power stations with a total net specific power consumption of only 2.5 kWh per ton of desalinated water. This paper describes the process principles of the LT-MED plants that made these achievements possible. Also, a description of the Curacao, 2×10,000 t/d and the Ebeye, 1,100 t/d MED plants will be given.