Comparative productivity of distillation and reverse osmosis desalination using energy from solar ponds

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1982 · J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3266321· OSTI ID:6282773

Tleimat, B W; Howe, E D

This paper presents comparative analyses of two methods for producing desalted water using the heat collected by a solar pond - the first by distillation, and the second by reverse osmosis. The distillation scheme uses a multiple-effect distiller supplied with steam generated in a flash boiler using heat from a solar pond. Solar pond water passes through a heat exchanger in the water system ahead of the flash boiler. The second scheme uses a similar arrangement to generate hydrocarbon vapor which drives a Rankine cycle engine. This engine produces mechanical/ electrical power for the RO plant. The analyses use two pond water temperatures -82.2/sup 0/C (180/sup 0/F) and 71.1/sup 0/C (160/sup 0/F) -- which seem to cover the range expected from salt-gradient ponds. In each case, the pond water temperature drops by 5.56/sup 0/C (10/sup 0/F) while passing through the vapor generator system. Results of these analyses show that, based on the assumptions made, desalted water could be produced by distillation at productivity rates much greater than those estimated for the RO plant.

• Research Organization: Water Thermal and Chemical Technology Center, Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA
• OSTI ID: 6282773
• Journal Information: J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States), Vol. 104:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
DESALINATION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
PRODUCTIVITY
SOLAR PONDS
SOLAR DISTILLATION
DISTILLATION EQUIPMENT
OSMOSIS
POWER GENERATION
RANKINE CYCLE ENGINES
SALINITY
STEAM GENERATORS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
BOILERS
DEMINERALIZATION
DIFFUSION
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
HEAT ENGINES
PONDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE WATERS
VAPOR GENERATORS
140909* - Solar Thermal Utilization- Miscellaneous Solar Applications- (1980-)