Investigation of Plate Heat Exchanger Applications in Multiple Distillation: A Bench Scale Study

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A new trend is emerging where the plate heat exchanger (PHE) technology is establishing presence in the multiple effect distillation (MED) applications. In comparison to conventional shell and tube heat exchanger (STHE) technology, PHE technology has significant advantages due to its superior heat transfer performance and the ability to pack fairly large heat transfer surface area in the most compact volume. The main aim of this project is to furnish very important and much needed technical knowledge base on the PHE-based MED desalination process. Hence, this project will actually serve as a platform for further development and deployment of this technology in Kuwait and the Gulf region. The project involves design and construction of a bench-scale test unit, exhaustive hydrodynamic, thermodynamic and heat transfer testing, data interpretation and analysis, leading to development of a roadmap for more comprehensive pilot-scale phase II project, which is considered an essential step for actual implementation of the PHE-MED technology on commercial scale. The key deliverables of this project will include, physically, a bench-scale test unit especially designed and constructed for investigating PHE-MED applications in seawater desalination, a reference scientific and technical knowledge base on the performance characteristics of this process, including useful design correlations pertinent to Kuwait seawater. Furthermore, conceptual design of a pilot plant model and a roadmap for testing PHE-based MED systems will be delivered.