Modeling Of Multi-Effect Desalination Process Operated With Thermosolar Energy Applied To The Northeastern Brazil

Desalination is one of the possible solutions to the world's potable water scarcity. In order to make the process feasible and sustainable, use of renewable energy is a very useful option. The multi-effect desalination (MED) process linked with solar energy is one of the most thermodynamically efficient and the one with lower cost by produced potable water. In this context, the present work focuses on modelling a MED process with thermosolar energy applied to the local conditions of northeastern Brazil. This region suffers from water scarcity but, on the other hand, shows the highest levels of solar radiation in Brazil. Despite that, the literature still lacks a study concerning the technical viability of operating a desalination process with solar energy in this semi-arid region. The steady-state model is based on mass and energy balances and empirical correlations from literature to calculate the enthalpy of water and brine as well as boiling point elevation and latent heat. The model is firstly validated against simulated results from the literature regarding the Plataforma Solar de Almeria. The results have shown that the implementation of a solar desalination plant in Northeast Brazil is technically feasible. The obtained model is useful for further process optimization towards minimization of investment and operational costs and to facilitate access to potable water in arid regions with high solar incidence.