Despite the fact that global water is apparently abundant, almost half of the world faces the water scarcity especially in the Mediterranean and North African regions. The main purpose of this work is the assessment of Multiple Effect Distillation, a thermal desalination technique in water stressed countries in the Mediterranean region.
The thesis describes a case study for desalination plant solution of capacity 900 m3/d for a hotel location in Cyprus. The study features plant design and the performance data ensuring low specific electrical and thermal energy consumption. A detailed mathematical model is developed for the 8 - effect desalination plant which is based on the mass and energy balances for the streams flowing through each stage of the MED unit. The performance of the desalination can be predicted. An improved model for the desalination technology can be suggested by installing an additional unit called as thermo – vapour compressor. The Gained Output Ratio (GOR) and specific thermal energy consumption values of 13.6 and 40.1 kWhth/m3 respectively are obtained from the improved model.
The plant can be operated throughput the year by implementing an innovative technique of sea water preheating. This helps in achieving the required brine feed temperature of about 43 – 48 °C. The improved plant model is assessed by a simulation software, DEEP. The Mediterranean region has huge potential in renewable energy especially in solar thermal energy. A medium temperature parabolic trough collector operat-ing at 180 °C will be used to supply the steam for desalination plant. With the fossil fuels powering most of the desalination plants, the use of solar thermal energy can be a clean and sustainable option and an ideal benchmark for the future renewable desalination plants.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Water Consumption in the Tourism Industry
2 Market Analysis of Cyprus
2.1 Economy of Cyprus
2.1.1 Tourism Industry in Cyprus
2.1.2 Tourist Occupancy in Cypriot Hotels
2.2 Need for Desalination in Cyprus
3 Desalination
3.1 Classification of Desalination Technologies
3.1.1 Membrane Desalination
3.1.2 Thermal Desalination
3.2 Comparison of Performance of Desalination Technologies
3.2.1 Advantages of MED Desalination Process
3.2.2 Limitations
3.3 Existing Desalination Plants in Cyprus
3.4 Case Study: MED Desalination Technology
3.4.1 Existing Facilities
4 MED Desalination
4.1 Evaporator
4.2 Demister
4.3 Condenser and Flash Distiller
4.4 Brine Feed Configuration:
4.4.1 Forward Brine Feed Configuration
4.4.2 Backward Brine Feed Configuration
4.4.3 Parallel Brine Feed Configuration
4.5 Selection of Desalination Plant Capacity
4.5.1 Calculation of Desalination Capacity
4.6 Sensitivity Analysis of the Plant Capacity
4.7 Selection of No. of Effects for MED Plant
4.8 Pre and Post – Treatment
4.8.1 Pre- Treatment
4.8.2 Post Treatment
5 MED Desalination Plant Calculations
5.1 Conditions of Operation
5.1.1 Inlet Sea Water Salinity
5.1.2 Brine Rejection Salinity
5.1.3 Concentration Factor
5.1.4 Recovery Ratio
5.2 Development of Mathematical Model
5.2.1 Mathematical Model Flow Diagram
5.2.2 Latent Heat of Vapourisation
5.3 Calculation of Distillate Flow Rate
5.4 Calculation of Heat Transfer Areas
5.4.1 Selection of Heat Transfer Coefficient
5.4.2 Evaporator Area
5.4.3 Condenser Area
5.5 Temperature Distribution in MED Plants
6 MED Plant Calculations
6.1 Improvement in Efficiency
6.1.1 Thermo - vapour Compressor
7 Comparison of Performance
7.1 Gained Output Ratio
7.2 Specific Electricity Consumption
7.3 Specific Thermal Consumption
7.4 Comparison of Performance of MED and MED – TVC Plants
8 Operational Characteristics
8.1 Inlet Sea Water Preheating
8.1.1 Design of Sea Water Preheater
8.1.2 Selection of Heat Exchanger
9 Simulation of Desalination Plant
9.1 Selection of Sea Water Operation Temperature
9.2 Input Values for Desalination Plant
9.3 Output Modules
9.3.1 Flow Diagram
9.3.2 Expert Mode Calculations
9.4 Simulation Results
10 Final Design
10.1 Final Layout
10.2 Selection of Materials
10.2.1 Corrosion
10.2.2 Materials for Desalination Plant Components
10.2.3 Pump Materials
10.2.4 Piping
11 Energy Source for Desalination Plant
11.1 Current Studies in Cyprus
11.2 Solar Potential of Cyprus
11.2.1 Solar Potential of Bafra
11.2.2 Selection of the Data Source
12 Selection of Solar Technology
12.1 Comparison of Technologies
12.2 Parabolic Trough Collectors
12.2.1 Performance of the Parabolic Trough Collectors
12.2.2 Losses in the Parabolic Trough Collectors
12.2.3 Collector Efficiency
12.2.4 Collector Field Efficiency
12.2.5 Capacity Factor
12.2.6 Requirement of steam
12.2.7 Steam Generation Process
12.2.8 T-s Diagram for Solar PTC Plants
13 Solar Plant Calculations
13.1 Solar Multiple
13.2 Thermal Energy Storage
13.2.1 Sensible Heat Storage
13.2.2 Latent Heat Storage
13.2.3 Chemical Energy (Bond Energy) Storage
13.2.4 Comparison of Technology
13.2.5 Selection of Storage Medium
13.3 Thermal Energy Storage Calculations
13.3.1 Design of Storage Tank
13.4 Final Results
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
The primary objective of this Master's thesis is to perform a feasibility study for the implementation of a Multiple Effect Distillation (MED) desalination plant, specifically optimized for a five-star hotel resort in Bafra, Cyprus. By utilizing solar thermal energy and incorporating advanced features like a thermo-vapour compressor and innovative seawater preheating, the research aims to provide a sustainable solution for water-stressed regions in the Mediterranean while addressing the high water demand of the tourism sector.
- Technical feasibility analysis of MED desalination technology for hotel applications.
- Development of a mathematical model for performance prediction of an 8-effect MED plant.
- Evaluation of solar thermal energy (specifically Parabolic Trough Collectors) as the primary heat source.
- Design and simulation of a seawater preheating system utilizing rejected brine to improve yearly plant efficiency.
- Assessment of thermal energy storage solutions for continuous plant operation.
Extract from the Book
3.4 CASE STUDY: MED DESALINATION TECHNOLOGY
The tourism industry can be considered as a typical application for the assessment of desalination plant performance. A case study is carried out for implementation of such MED desalination plant technology for a five star hotel, Kaya Artemis Resort and Casino located in Bafra, Northern Cyprus.
Located in the district of Famagusta, Kaya Artemis Resort and Casino is a five star resort spread over an area of 165,000 m2. The hotel and casino covers a space of about 65000 m2 with a total capacity of 2500 beds. It has several lavish restaurants and swimming pools with one of them heated by using a conventional heater during winter period. It also has several amenities like fitness, spa, water sports, and entertainment. However the main attraction is its casino. As casinos are not allowed in the resorts in the middle – east, the Kaya Artemis Resort and Casino is an important location. Therefore the occupancy level of the tourists is rather high.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the global water scarcity issue and highlights the high water stress levels in Cyprus, particularly within the expanding tourism industry.
2 Market Analysis of Cyprus: Analyzes the economic reliance on tourism and the resulting pressure on water resources, establishing the urgent need for local desalination solutions.
3 Desalination: Surveys existing desalination technologies and provides justification for selecting Multiple Effect Distillation (MED) for the case study.
4 MED Desalination: Details the technical components and processes of MED systems, including evaporator configurations and brine feed management strategies.
5 MED Desalination Plant Calculations: Establishes the mathematical framework for modeling mass and energy balances to determine plant performance.
6 MED Plant Calculations: Presents practical calculations for an optimized 8-effect MED plant, highlighting expected distillate output.
7 Comparison of Performance: Evaluates energy efficiency metrics, demonstrating the improved performance of MED-TVC configurations over simple MED systems.
8 Operational Characteristics: Discusses the necessity of seawater preheating techniques to ensure consistent, year-round operation under varying seasonal temperatures.
9 Simulation of Desalination Plant: Describes the use of the DEEP simulation software for technical performance evaluation of the designed plant.
10 Final Design: Consolidates the technical design parameters and provides a layout for the integrated MED-TVC plant with preheating capabilities.
11 Energy Source for Desalination Plant: Analyzes the high solar potential in Cyprus and its compatibility with thermal desalination systems.
12 Selection of Solar Technology: Justifies the selection of Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC) as the optimal solar technology for the required steam output.
13 Solar Plant Calculations: Calculates the energy demand and required collector field size, integrating thermal energy storage to balance seasonal fluctuations.
Keywords
Tourism Industry, Cyprus, MED - Desalination, Thermo - Vapour Compressor, Seawater Preheating, Parabolic Trough Collectors, Renewable Energy, Solar Thermal, Desalination, Water Scarcity, Energy Efficiency, Thermal Energy Storage, Mathematical Modeling, MED-TVC, Sustainability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The work focuses on the feasibility of integrating a solar-powered Multiple Effect Distillation (MED) desalination system into the infrastructure of a large hotel resort in Cyprus to address water scarcity.
Which specific technology is proposed for desalination?
The research proposes an 8-effect Multiple Effect Distillation (MED) plant enhanced with a thermo-vapour compressor (TVC) to increase thermal efficiency.
What is the primary goal of the study?
The primary goal is to design a sustainable, energy-efficient desalination solution that can provide enough fresh water to meet the peak demands of a 2500-bed luxury resort using solar thermal energy.
How is the desalination plant powered?
The plant is powered by steam generated via Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC), utilizing solar thermal energy to minimize reliance on fossil fuels.
What is the function of the seawater preheating system?
The preheating system utilizes waste heat from the rejected brine to raise the temperature of incoming seawater, ensuring the plant maintains high performance levels even during winter when ambient seawater temperatures are low.
What are the key findings regarding plant efficiency?
The study concludes that adding a thermo-vapour compressor significantly reduces specific thermal energy consumption and doubles the Gained Output Ratio (GOR) compared to a basic MED configuration.
Why was the Parallel Brine Feed Configuration selected?
It was selected because it offers simpler piping, lower pumping power requirements, and better overall heat transfer efficiency compared to forward or backward feed configurations, while minimizing scaling issues.
What is the role of the Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system?
The TES system, utilizing molten salts, acts as a buffer to store surplus solar energy during peak radiation months and provides a reliable heat supply during periods of low sunlight or intermittent weather conditions.
- Citar trabajo
- Roshan Chandwankar (Autor), 2016, Advanced Solar Desalination for Tourism Industry in Cyprus, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/354919
