SIMULATION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF MES EVAPORATORS UNDER UNSTEADY STATE OPERATING-CONDITIONS

The aim of this paper is to develop a simulation model for predicting the transient behavior of multi-effect stack-type (MES) distillation plants and to validate the results of this model with actual plant operation data obtained from the MES evaporator at Abu Dhabi solar desalination plant. Transient heat balance equations were written for each plant component in terms of the unknown temperatures of each effect. The equations were solved simultaneously to yield the time dependent effect temperatures as well as major plant operating parameters such as the performance ratio and distillate production. The results of the simulation program were then compared with actual plant operating data taken during a particular plant startup and the agreement was found to be reasonable.