YesSimultaneous optimisation of design and operating parameters of MSF
desalination process is considered here using MINLP technique within
gPROMS software. For a fixed fresh water demand throughout the year and
with seasonal variation of seawater temperature, the external heat input (a
measure of operating cost) to the process is minimised. It is observed that
seasonal variation in seawater temperature results in significant variation in
design with minimum variation in operating conditions in terms of process
temperatures. The results also reveal the possibility of designing stand-alone
flash stages which would offer flexible scheduling in terms of the connection of
various units (to build up the process) and efficient maintenance of the units
throughout the year as the weather condition changes. In addition, operation at
low temperatures throughout the year will reduce design and operating costs in
terms of low temperature materials of construction and reduced amount of antiscaling
and anti-corrosion agents
