Thermal Desalination Unit Research Articles

Influence of noncondesaables on modern thermal desalination

Today in thermal desalination it is general practice to counter the adverse effects of noncondensable gases by eliminating dissolved gases from the feed brine and by providing condensers with ejectors. This paper points out that though an ejector maintains the condenser pressure level, it does not keep the condenser free from noncondensables but keeps their concentration low. Even at low concentrations noncondensables impair heat transfer, especially in thermal desalination processes with augmented heat transfer. Consequently vents or ejecters are not the complete solution to the problem of noncondensables but are only palliatives. The development of leak resistant systems is thus shown to be a necessary step towards improving the economy of thermal desalination units.