Cost Studies of Large Multi-Stage Flash Saline Water Conversion Plants

摘要

A study was made to determine the extent to which the costs of converting sea water to fresh water could be reduced as a result of (1) increasing the scale of operations to a very large size and (2) using exhaust steam from a gas-fueled power generating station to supply heat. The conversion plant design concerned is of the multi-stage flash evaporation type. It was found that water costs could be reduced about 20% when condition (2), above, is realized; and that an increase in operating capacity from 50 million gal/day to 150 million gal/day could effect a 24% reduction in water costs. The optimum brine heater outlet temperature for combination water-power plants is shown to be below 300F. Heat and material balances for optimized configurations, and capital cost estimates were developed.