Thermo-economic analysis of two novel low grade sensible heat driven desalination processes

Two novel desalination processes that utilise low grade sensible heat sources have been modelled and both have been shown to be more thermally efficient means of desalinating water than conventional Multi Effect Distillation (MED). The novel Boosted MED (B-MED) and Flash Boosted MED (FB-MED) processes are capable of higher production rates than conventional MED, enabled by the addition of process components and by an increase in specific electrical power consumption. A simple method of estimating the capital and operational costs of MED, B-MED and FB-MED desalination installations is presented. A generalised comparison of the economics of these three processes is conducted, asserting the economic viability of the novel desalination processes. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.