Renewable integration and energy reduction in multiple stage evaporator

Abstract

• Development of steady state energy model for a hybrid MSE. • Formulating the constrained optimization problem to maximize energy efficiency. • Implementation of a metaheuristic approach named Flow Direction Algorithm. • Incorporation of FTs and LFR to reuse waste heat and meet required thermal demand. Multiple Effect Evaporator (MEE) is an imperative part of the paper industry. It is used to process the waste byproduct named Black Liquor to enhance its solid concentration that may be further utilized to produce biomass-based energy. This process accounts very high energy consumption which leads to the energy intensiveness of this unit. A substantial amount of energy-saving may be accumulated by integrating various Energy Reduction Schemes (ERSs) with the MEE. Steam splitting, feed splitting, feed liquor preheating, thermo-vapor compressor, etc. are the well-known ERSs that may be incorporated with the MEE to reduce energy utilization. Hence, this study investigates the hybrid ERSs incorporated with MEE to observe their energy efficiency in an optimal manner. The prime focus of this investigation is to achieve enhanced energy efficiency in teams of maximum steam efficiency which is computed by formulating the nonlinear mathematical models of the MEE. To achieve the maximized energy efficiency, an optimization function has been developed under a constraint environment and solved by using metaheuristic-based approach named Flow Direction Algorithm. Another ERSs named flash tanks can also be integrated with this system to encourage waste heat re-utilization and ensures an increase in energy efficiency with constant steam consumption. This work also deals with the incorporation of the Linear Fresnel Reflector with ERSs integrated MEE which is capable of reducing the conventional energy load. The overall integrated MEE model achieves an energy-efficient and renewably operated MEE unit that may enhance the self-sustainability of the industry.