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Influence of Non-Condensable Gases on Performance of the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination Plants


Affiliations
1 National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Chennai 600 100, India
 

This article addresses the effect of non-condensable (NC) gases on the thermal performance of condensers used in Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plants utilizing natural ocean temperature gradient as well as waste heat recovery from process plants. The NC gases that flow along with the water vapour cause local reduction of heat transfer in the condenser and leading to high operating power and cost escalation. A computational investigation was performed and results showed that with increase in NC gases concentration, there was a decrement in overall heat transfer coefficient, increment in uncondensed water vapour and thus reduction in yield.

Keywords

Condenser, Desalination, Low Temperature Thermal Desalination, Non-condensable Gases.
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  • Influence of Non-Condensable Gases on Performance of the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination Plants

Abstract Views: 379  |  PDF Views: 129

Authors

G. Venkatesan
National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Chennai 600 100, India
L. S. S. Prakash Kumar
National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Chennai 600 100, India
Purnima Jalihal
National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Chennai 600 100, India

Abstract


This article addresses the effect of non-condensable (NC) gases on the thermal performance of condensers used in Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plants utilizing natural ocean temperature gradient as well as waste heat recovery from process plants. The NC gases that flow along with the water vapour cause local reduction of heat transfer in the condenser and leading to high operating power and cost escalation. A computational investigation was performed and results showed that with increase in NC gases concentration, there was a decrement in overall heat transfer coefficient, increment in uncondensed water vapour and thus reduction in yield.

Keywords


Condenser, Desalination, Low Temperature Thermal Desalination, Non-condensable Gases.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv118%2Fi11%2F1718-1724