Energy, exergy and economic analysis of a hybrid spray-assisted low-temperature desalination/thermal vapor compression system

Highlights: • A novel SLTD-TVC process has been proposed. • A rigorous thermodynamic model has been developed. • Optimal design and operation parameters have been obtained. • Sources of thermodynamic irreversibility have been identified. -- Abstract: Integrating thermal desalination systems with vapor compression is an effective way to improve the energy efficiency. This paper investigates a spray-assisted low-temperature desalination system that is integrated with a thermal vapor compression system (SLTD-TVC). A detailed thermodynamic model is judiciously developed based on the principles of heat and mass transfer, heat balance, mass balance, and exergy balance. Applying the model, the energy efficiency of the combined SLTD-TVC process is first evaluated. The production ratio of the combined system is found to be 10–35% higher than that of the conventional SLTD process. Accordingly, an exergy analysis is conducted to quantify the sources of irreversibility within the system. The steam jet ejector is found to be the major source of thermodynamic irreversibility, accounting for more than 40% of the exergy destruction. The overall system efficiency is improved at a lower motive steam pressure, a higher number of operating stages and a medium cooling water flowrate. Finally an economic analysis is carried out, which reveals that the changes of both initial plant cost and operation cost are marginal after the integration of the thermal vapor compression system.