Efficiency and Economic Assessment of a Mechanical Vapor Compression Desalination Unit

Mechanical steam compression technology (CVM) presents a compelling solution for small-scale desalination, facilitating the production of high-quality distilled water at a competitive cost. This article conducts a comprehensive economic and thermal assessment of an efficient mechanical steam compression facility. The study’s primary objective is to elucidate the factors that influence the desalination plant’s performance, thereby enhancing our understanding of the overall cost of purified water under various operational scenarios. The proposed methodology is grounded in the MVC component and a cost model. The findings underscore the significant impact of both the MVC plant’s capacity and the temperature differential (ΔT) between condensing vapor and boiling saline on the total cost of desalinated water. Elevated ΔT values lead to reduced expenses associated with thermal exchange surfaces but concurrently contribute to heightened electricity consumption costs. This research substantiates the profound dependence of MVC desalination costs on operational parameters. Effective control of these parameters holds the potential to substantially diminish the overall cost of demineralized water.