Simulation Study of the Thermal Performance of MSF Desalination Unit Operating by Solar Vacuum Tube Collectors

Mohammad  Abdunnabi; Abdulghani   Ramadan

doi:10.51646/jsesd.v4i1.77

Authors

Mohammad .J.R. Abdunnabi Centre for Solar Energy Research and Studies, Tajoura, P.O. Box 12932 Tripoli-Libya
Abdulghani .M. Ramadan Faculty of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Al-Mergeb University, Al-Khomes

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51646/jsesd.v4i1.77

Keywords:

MSF desalination plant , fresh water , confiuration optimisation , simulation , TRNSYS

Abstract

The Center for Solar Energy Research and Studies (CSERS) has good experience in operating and evaluating the thermal performance of small scale 5 m³/day Multi-Stage Flushing (MSF) desalination plant connected to solar pond according to the local weather conditions of Tajoura area. However, a new project has been suggested to run the desalination plant with vacuum tubes solar thermal collectors utilizing available technology and experience.
In this study, an attempt was made to make the best use of readily available components to operate the MSF desalination unit with field of solar thermal collectors. Several configuration of collectors and tank arrangements were designed and examined through the use of simulation software, TRNSYS. The study has shown that the layout-3 (two 500 liter storage tanks each of them connected to 9x5 vacuum tube collectors) gives the best performance with an annual solar fraction over 77% at a load temperature of 70 °C with a flow rate of 2500 lit/hr, and over 68% at load temperature of 80 °C for working condition of 8 hours daily. The study has also shown that running the desalination plant for 24 hours a day reduces the solar fraction of the solar collector field to 25%

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References

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