Utilisation of power plant waste heat steams to enhance efficiency in thermal desalination

Several studies have demonstrated that the performances of combined cycle power plants can be optimised taking advantages of flue gas waste heat. However, despite the process advantages related to power cycle have been clearly identified no judicious use of flue gas heat to enhance performances in thermal desalination has been studied in detail yet. The present paper will describe innovative process configurations where MSF/MED plants performance ratio and production are optimised taking advantages of waste heat steam made available from different process steams in power plant. These process configuration results in lower water cost and reduced environmental impact.

Different schemes leading to fuel gas savings and reduction of combined thermal desalination and power generation heat rate have been discussed and relative advantages and disadvantages have been illustrated. The present status of art allows a substantial optimisation in matching the power–water configuration and energetic savings.