Multiple-effect Distillation
Multiple-effect distillation is a simple process similar to multistage flash distillation. It consists of multiple stages or "effects". In each stage The salt water solution is heated and the pure water that is produced flows into the next chamber. Some of the water evaporates, and this steam flows into the tubes of the next stage, heating and evaporating more water. Each stage essentially reuses the energy from the previous stage. The main setback is that it is best used for smaller-scale desalination. The costs are very high for large facilities.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low energy consumption compared to other thermal processes
- Doesn't require pretreatment of sea water and can be used for different types of sea water
- Highly reliable and easy to operate
- 24 hour a day continuous operation with minimum supervision
- Can adapt to any heat source
Cons:
- It is best used for smaller-scale desalination
- The costs are very high for large facilities