559-11 - Thermal Desalination Technologies
Learning objectives
- Define distillate and distillation
- Discuss how freshwater is created through the process of evaporation and condensation
- Describe how an industrial thermal desalination facility can be an economic option for freshwater production by utilizing waste heat and processing source water through multiple stages
- Explain the functions of the heat exchanger tube bundles and brine pool in a multiple effect distillation system
- Explain the functions of the brine heater, brine pool, and demister in a multi-stage flash distillation system
- Describe the flow of water from intake to collection in a multiple effect distillation (MED) system using terminology from this lesson, including: evaporator, effect, condensation, vapor, condensor
- Describe the flow of water from intake to collection in a multi-stage flash (MSF) system using terminology from this lesson, including: stage, brine heater, demister, and condenser
Course overview
Desalination separates freshwater from the dissolved salts and minerals in a saline water source, such as seaweed or brackish water. One way to do this is to use a thermal desalination technology. Thermal desalination technologies rely on the distillation process, the evaporation and condensation of the earth's hydrological cycle. Water must reach boiling point to vaporize so it can be collected as freshwater condensate. For this reason, thermal processes need a substantial amount of energy. Waste heat and steam from other sources, such as power generation, can greatly reduce the energy used. The Thermal Desalination Technologies training course discusses the principles on which these technologies are based. It explains the importance waste heat or steam plays in multiple effect distillation (MED) and multi-stage flash (MSF) systems. This course discusses the key components of MED and MSF systems, including the function of evaporators, condensers, demisters, and brine heaters. It discusses the differences between MED and MSF systems. Thermal Desalination Technologies is part of the Water Treatment training series.
The individuals involved in the development and promotion of this course do not receive any compensation or financial benefits outside of their regular employment for their work on this course.
