Performance optimization of an integrated solar combined cycle power plant equipped with a brine circulation MSF desalination unit

Abstract

Population growth and the limited water resources make water desalination the first-priority choice to overcome the freshwater deficit in Egypt. However, desalinating large quantities of seawater requires huge electrical power generation. Therefore, the present work introduces and optimizes an integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) that is designed to drive a MSF desalination unit with brine circulation. A two-stage intercooled compressor is proposed for the gas turbine unit in lieu of a single stage compressor. The thermal energy recovered from the compressor intercooling is used for desalinating the seawater using a MSF desalination unit. Multi-objective optimization was implemented in order to achieve the best cycle performance for operation in two different locations of Egypt. The present results show that the proposed cycle improves the ISCC net power produced by up to 18.5% at a top brine temperature of To = 105 °C and without thermal energy from the solar field (Q̇solar = 0). A single module of the proposed cycle is able to produce 16,364.2 m3/day of fresh water and 126.2 MW of power at To = 105 °C and Q̇solar = 0. A detailed cost analysis of the generated power and produced fresh water is recommended for future work.