Performance Assessment and Parametric Study of Multiple Effect Evaporator

Multiple effect evaporators (MEE) use steam of temperature 120–200 °C for evaporation of water. Conventionally, the steam fed to MEE is generated by conventional fuel-fired boilers, in the current study concentrated solar energy is employed as an alternative. A system model was designed to study the temperature of steam generated on an hourly basis throughout the year and its exergy performance in different climatic zones of India. Except winter months and monsoon days, the solar concentrator generated the desired temperature of steam, thereby was not affecting the performance of the multiple effect evaporator system. Auxiliary support will be necessary during such durations to raise the steam temperature from 70 °C to the desired range. An hourly variation in solar radiation does not significantly affect the performance of the solar-assisted MEE system. Influence of the system performance on varying parameters has also been studied using the model. Reynolds number (Re) of the wastewater flow was found chiefly influencing the energy and exergy performance of the device, the change in Re can cause up to 60% variation in exergy and energy of the system.