| abstract |
The invention relates to improvements in the thermal desalination processes involving multistage flash distillation (MSF), multi-effect distillation (MED) and vapour compression (VC) generally and in particular in an application to seawater desalination to produce potable water. The invention discloses a process of integrated plant modifications and apparatus to enable significant upgrading in the capacity of the thermal desalination plants, based on the increase of brine recirculation flow and increase of the top brine temperature. Modifications include the provision of increased pumping to up rate pressure and flow rate, removing non-condensables using venting, provision of a barometric condenser, increasing demister area, increasing make up flow and blow down rate, adjustment of brine flash orifices, injecting acid into the brine recirculation flow, using hybrid combinations including nanofiltration or reverse osmosis, introducing scale inhibitors, scale control chemicals, and sequestering agents, sponge ball cleaners and water softening. |