SWCC TRAINING CENTER

AL-JUBAIL
ADVANCED OPERATIONS TRAINING COURSE
MSF DESALINATION PLANTS TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS
LESSON No. 2.
SUBJECT/TOPIC

MSF DESALINATION PLANTS - PRINCIPLES

TIME

6 hours

OBJECTIVE

To explain the desalination principles.

LOCATION

SWCC Training Center, Al-Jubail

TRAINING AIDS

Transparencies & overhead projector

REF. MANUALS

MSF Technology Book

HAND-OUTS

Material covering the following lesson outlines.

LESSON OUTLINE

1.

Flashing Principle.

2.

Single Stage Flashing Principle.

3.

Multistage Flashing Principle.

4.

MSF Plants Characteristics

5.

Heat Transfer and Distillate production in MSF Plants.

6.

Resistances to the Flashing Process in MSF Plants.

7.

Major Heat Transfer areas in MSF Plants.

LESSON

MSF DESALINATION PLANTS

PRINCIPLES

LECTURE
SUB-OBJECTIVES
At the end of the Lesson the Trainees will know and understand:1.

Flashing Principle.

2.

Single Stage Flashing Principle.

3.

Multistage Flashing Principle.

4.

MSF Plants characteristics.

5.

Heat Transfer and Distillate Production in MSF Plants.

6.

Resistances to the Flashing Process in MSF Plants.

7.

Major Heat Transfer areas in MSF Plants.

1.0

FLASHING PRINCIPLE
Vapors can be produced from a liquid which is at its boiling point, either by heat
addition (boiling) or by pressure reduction (flashing).
Single and multistage flash processes use the second concept.
If water and vapor are in equilibrium in an enclosed space, their temperature and
pressure are interrelated. Water can be made to flash (boil) just as effectively by
reducing the pressure as by raising the temperature. When pressure is reduced, the
boiling temperature is correspondingly decreased. The amount of energy which can
be stored in water (at its boiling point) decreases as pressure is decreased.
Therefore, reduction is required in the sensible heat of the liquid. This supplies heat
for production of a certain amount of vapor.
When the pressure is reduced, bubbles evolve from the whole liquid mass. Water
continues to evaporate till it reaches equilibrium with its vapor at the prevailing
pressure. Evaporation lowers the temperature of the remaining brine.
Separation of water from seawater in the MSF process is based on the flashing
principle. When seawater boils, the vapors produced are pure and free from any
salts. These vapors are led to a condenser where they are condensed and collected
as distilled water. Salts remain behind in the seawater which gets more concentrated.
The salts remain in the liquid phase because their vapor pressure is zero at normal
distillation temperatures.

When hot brine at its boiling point flows into a flash stage, which is at a lower
pressure, energy in excess of that which can be contained by brine produces vapors. The
loss of energy causes the brine temperature to decrease to its saturation temperature at the
lower pressure.
In flash distillation evaporation takes place at a distance from the tubes. A feature of
the MSF process is that all energy is added to the liquid before flashing is permitted to
begin. During the process of vapor release, additional energy is not added.
Therefore, it is necessary that all heat required for evaporation be inserted as
sensible heat. Since a large mass has to be heated sensibly to provide the energy for
vaporization, this reduces the potential for heat transfer. A large recirculation rate is a
characteristic feature of the MSF process.

2.0

SINGLE STAGE FLASHING PRINCIPLE

Feedwater is preheated in a condenser. It then flows to a brine heater where low
pressure steam is introduced from an external source. The feedwater is maintained
under pressure conditions which do not permit vapor formation. No boiling takes
place in the pipe leading to the flash chamber. Hot feedwater from the brine heater is
introduced into the flash chamber, which is maintained under vacuum by an ejector.

Fig. 2-1. Single Stage Flash.

The temperature in the stage is slightly below the boiling point (or saturation
temperature) of the feed at that pressure. When feed enters the stage, it is already at
the saturation temperature for a higher pressure. It becomes superheated and has to
give off vapors (flash) to become saturated again. Transfer of latent heat from brine
to vapors causes brine to cool down to the saturation temperature equivalent to the
stage pressure.
The vapors, after passing through demisters, are condensed on the condenser tubes.
The heat of condensation supplies a large part of the heat required to raise the feed
to its boiling point. Distillate is collected in the distillate trough. It flows from the
trough to the product pump which pumps it to storage. Unevaporated brine is
rejected to the sea. Fresh feedwater is added continuously.

3.0

MULTISTAGE FLASHING PRINCIPLE

PLANT TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS

LESSON 2 PAGE 2

MSF OPERATIONS
ADVANCED COURSE

To increase the heat recovery efficiency of a single stage unit, the number of flash
stages is increased. The modified system recovers a considerable part of the wasted
energy and is known as the Multistage Flash (MSF) process. An MSF evaporator can
be visualized to be a single stage unit extended to N stages (usually 16-50) in series.
For a given performance ratio, an increase in the number of stages reduces the expensive
heat transfer area (at the cost of relatively cheap steel partitions between stages).
The pressure in each stage is lower than the pressure in the preceding stage. The
minimum pressure and temperature in the last stage are fixed by vapor volume and
heat rejection considerations. This temperature is usually in the 37-40 C range. The
addition of multiple stages reduces the amount of heat that has to be removed from
the process. The number of stages controls the amount of heat recovery possible
and this determines the amount of external energy required.
Brine is not rejected from the first stage as is done in the single stage flash process.
It is sent to the second stage instead. When brine enters the second stage it flashes
again. Vapors are condensed on the condenser at the top of stage. 2. The
temperature of unflashed brine drops to a value corresponding to the second stage
pressure. This brine flows into the third stage where it again undergoes flashing (as
in the first two stages). This continues till the Nth stage. Concentrated brine from this
stage is rejected (once through process) or recycled (recirculation process).
In each stage, distillate is produced. The amount of distillate produced in each stage
varies.

3.1

CONTROLLING PARAMETERS
1.
2.
3.

3.2

Temperature drop in each stage.

Total flash range (difference between the top brine temperature and the brine
reject temperature)
Stage heat transfer coefficients.

PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
In the MSF system, various plant arrangements and operational techniques have
become established. The three main plant characteristics which can adequately
describe an MSF system are:1.

Flashing Flow System

*
*

2.

Type of Chemical Pretreatment

*
*
*

3.

Once through
Recirculation

Polyphosphate
Acid
High temperature additive

Condenser tubes configuration

*
*

Cross
Long

MSF OPERATIONS
ADVANCED COURSE

PLANT TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS

LESSON 2 PAGE

Fig. 2-2 Vapor Pressure - Temperature Relation for Water

Fig. 2-3 Relationship between Temperature and Pressure at the Boiling Water

PLANT TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS

LESSON 2 PAGE 4

MSF OPERATIONS
ADVANCED COURSE

4.0

HEAT TRANSFER AND DISTILLATE PRODUCTION IN MSF PLANTS

The process of water production by distillation involves two basic steps:1.
2.

4.1

Vapor Production
Vapor Condensation

VAPOR PRODUCTION
Many substances can exist in more than one state under proper pressure and
temperature conditions. For example, at low temperatures, water exists as a solid
(ice). At high temperatures, it exists as steam.
If a liquid is placed in a closed, partially filled vessel, the vapor molecules will exert
pressure on the walls and on the water surface. This pressure is known as the vapor
pressure. Every liquid exerts a vapor pressure. The magnitude of a liquid's vapor
pressure is a measure of its volatility. High vapor pressure liquids evaporate readily.
Those with low vapor pressure evaporate more slowly. They require an increase in
temperature to speed the rate.
Energy in liquid molecules is not evenly distributed. Most molecules have energy
which is about equal to the average, some molecules have less and some have more.
Heat input increases the kinetic energy of these molecules. On heating, some
molecules accumulate sufficient energy to enable them to leave the surface. They
then enter the space above the liquid (as vapor).
At equilibrium, in a closed vessel, a number of molecules leave the liquid but an equal
number return to it. The loss of molecules due to the heat of vaporization is balanced
by the gain due to the heat of condensation. Therefore, the liquid temperature
remains the same. If equilibrium is upset for some reason (like heat input), the
number of molecules which leave will be more than the number of molecules which
return. Therefore, vapor production takes place.
Rapid evaporation or boiling takes place when a liquid reaches the temperature at
which its vapor pressure equals the existing external pressure.
Boiling is
characterized by vapor bubbles forming in the interior and rising to the surface evaporation being a surface phenomenon. Since pressure within the bubbles equals
the vapor pressure of the liquid at that temperature, the boiling point depends on the
external pressure.
At sea level, atmospheric pressure is 1 atm (14.7 lb/in 2). At this pressure, water boils
at 100 C. At high altitudes (low pressures) or in closed vacuum systems, water boils
at a lower temperature. At higher pressures, water boils at a temperature above 100
C.
The amount of vapor produced is limited by the available energy. However, by
making more surface area available for the molecules to escape and by rapidly
adding heat, the rate of vapor formation can be increased. The amount of energy
required for vaporization is equal to the heat of vaporization. Since the liquid has to
supply this energy, evaporation results in the liquid being cooled. At 100 C, the
amount of heat required to vaporize 1 kg of water is 2,256 kJ. The same amount of
heat is released if condensation takes place at the same temperature. The total
amount of heat required, to convert 1 kg of water at 0C into saturated vapor at t C,
is known as the enthalpy of the vapor.
It is the total heat required to raise the water from O-t C (enthalpy of the water) and
the heat of evaporation at t C (corresponding to the energy required to convert 1 kg
of water at t C into 1 kg of vapor).

MSF OPERATIONS
ADVANCED COURSE

PLANT TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS

LESSON 2 PAGE

Desalination by distillation makes use of the relationship between the boiling point
and applied pressure. Saline solutions are made to boil again and again, without the
addition of any heat, by successively reducing the pressure. The most popular
method for the production of vapor has been:Flash
In this process, brine is introduced into a chamber maintained at a lower pressure. It
boils, as soon as it enters the chamber, in order to reach equilibrium with the existing
chamber pressure.

4.2

VAPOR CONDENSATION
To promote vapor production, vapors have to be removed rapidly so as to reduce
vapor pressure above the boiling brine. Vapor removal takes place due to pressure or
temperature differentials. Vapors are transported to condensers where they are
condensed.
The condensation process liberates heat equal to the heat of
vaporization at that pressure. The heat of condensation (which is removed) is used
either to preheat or to vaporize brine. The product water (condensed vapors) is
allowed to flow to collection points for removal.

5.0

RESISTANCES TO THE FLASHING PROCESS IN MSF PLANTS

5.1

BOILING POINT ELEVATION

An important factor in distillation plant design is boiling point elevation. Seawater
boils at a higher temperature than pure water at the same pressure. The difference in
the boiling points, of a saline solution and pure water, is referred to as the boiling point
elevation (BPE). BPE effects heat transfer and the temperature driving force. It
represents a degradation of the heat used to boil seawater and is a loss of heat
transfer potential. It means that vapors produced from brine are at a lower
temperature than the brine. The vapors produced are superheated by an amount
equal to the boiling point elevation. Hence, the BPE is lost from the available
temperature difference between stages. This means that the driving force is reduced.
A difference of even 1 C means a loss, especially for plants with high performance
ratios. The summation of the BPE in all the stages of an MSF plant adds up to a
significant loss. The BPE and pressure drop losses (due to obstructions in the vapor
path) are the major sources of temperature reduction or thermal energy degradation.
They must be accounted for in process design.
Boiling point elevation is a function of the dissolved salts concentration. As seawater
is concentrated, vapor pressure is lowered and the boiling point is raised. Seawater
containing 35,000 ppm dissolved salts boils at 100.6 C, while seawater concentrated
to 70,000 ppm boils at 101.3 C. Greater the boiling point elevation, more the
deviations of saline water properties (specific heat, latent heat of evaporation, etc.)
from those of pure water.

PLANT TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS

LESSON 2 PAGE 6

MSF OPERATIONS
ADVANCED COURSE

5.2

DRIVING POTENTIAL FOR VAPOR BUBBLE PRODUCTION

If vapor is able to exist as a separate phase, a surface of separation is necessary,
which in the case of vapor bubbles is curved. Surface tension causes a liquid to
resist the formation of such a curved surface. Therefore, in order to form a vapor
bubble, work needs to be done. In a flash chamber this is accomplished by lowering
the vapor saturation temperature. This is done by reducing pressure (through a flow
orifice) by an increment equivalent to the required driving potential.

5.3

HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE
This is another resistance for the flashing process. The pressure increases with
distance below the vapor liquid interface. The vapor saturation pressure and
consequently, saturation temperature will increase with depth. Hence, more flashing
will occur at the surface. Flashing will stop when the brine at any point equals or falls
below the required driving potential for bubble production. This first occurs at the
bottom of the brine pool.

6.0

MAJOR HEAT TRANSFER AREAS IN MSF PLANTS

In distillation, saline water is evaporated and pure vapors are condensed to obtain
distillate. Heat transfer for this is accomplished in heat exchangers. Cooling water
flows inside the heat exchanger tubes while steam/vapors condense outside the
tubes. Heat transfer areas are a very expensive item and in an MSF plant may
account for 25% of the capital cost. The main heat transfer areas are :-

6.1

HEAT REJECTION SECTION CONDENSERS

The tube condense vapors (from flashing brine) in the last few HRS stages to form
product water. Raw seawater is used as the coolant. After being heated in the tubes,
it is rejected but only after makeup has been tapped off. Makeup feed is sent to the
last stage flash chamber. The condensers are located at the top of the stages.

6.2

HEAT RECOVERY SECTION CONDENSERS

Brine circulates through the tubes of the stages comprising the hear recovery section.
It is preheated by vapors released from flashing brine. The temperature of
recirculating brine increases from stage to stage. Condensed vapors are collected as
product water. The condensers are located at the top of the stages.

6.3

BRINE HEATER
It increases the temperature of recirculating brine, which exits from the last HGS
stage, upto the top temperature. Heat exchange is carried out by low pressure,
externally supplied steam, in a shell and tube heat exchanger. Brine flows inside the
tubes while steam condensers on the outside.

MSF OPERATIONS
ADVANCED COURSE

PLANT TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS

LESSON 2 PAGE

6.4

VENT CONDENSER
Steam and gases vented from the various evaporator stages are condensed in this
shell and tube heat exchanger. Cooling is usually done with raw seawater. Gases,
which are not condensed, are sent to the ejector condensers.

6.5

EJECTOR CONDENSERS
These condense steam and other gases (extracted from the various stages and the
vent condenser) in a shell and tube heat exchanger. Cooling is usually done with
makeup water.

PLANT TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS

LESSON 2 PAGE 8

MSF OPERATIONS
ADVANCED COURSE