Visual basic computer package for thermal and membrane desalination processes Original Research Article

A visual basic computer package was developed for the design and analysis of thermal and membrane desalination processes. The package includes conventional processes, i.e., reverse osmosis, single-effect mechanical vapor compression, multiple-effect evaporation with/without thermal or mechanical vapor compression, and multi-stage flash evaporation. The models for these systems provide detailed design data that include flow rates, stream salinity, temperatures, heat transfer or membrane area, ejector dimensions, and bundle dimensions. The model predictions are based on detailed energy and material balances and well tested correlations for the heat transfer coefficient, thermodynamic losses, and physical properties of the seawater and water vapor. The visual basic interface provides displays for profiles of system variables across the effects, stages, or membrane modules, which may include salinity, flow rates, etc. Also, displays for the process flow diagram and design results are generated simultaneously. The design results include the unit product cost, process capital, performance ratio or specific power consumption, the flow rate of cooling water, the heat transfer or the membrane area, and a number of thermodynamic losses.