A novel mathematical model for mixed-feed multi-effect distillation system optimization design

In this work, a novel mathematical model called State-space Superstructure has been developed for the optimization design of a mixed-feed multi-effect distillation (MED) system. The model takes into account complex feeding arrangement relationships and aims to improve the thermal performance of the...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Cong Liu, Rouman Li, Lin Xu, Weiqi Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Desalination and Water Treatment
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S194439862420477X
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850229324166201344
author Cong Liu
Rouman Li
Lin Xu
Weiqi Liu
author_facet Cong Liu
Rouman Li
Lin Xu
Weiqi Liu
author_sort Cong Liu
collection DOAJ
description In this work, a novel mathematical model called State-space Superstructure has been developed for the optimization design of a mixed-feed multi-effect distillation (MED) system. The model takes into account complex feeding arrangement relationships and aims to improve the thermal performance of the system. By using this model, novel mixed-feed arrangements have been obtained, which show improved performance compared to forward-feed arrangements in terms of gained output ratio (GOR) and specific heat transfer area (As). The GOR is increased by 16 % and As is decreased by 18 %. Additionally, the number of evaporators and preheaters can be reduced with these mixed-feed arrangements, resulting in a similar freshwater production capacity as a forward-feed MED system. Three optimal design schemes are studied, showing that there is a positive correlation between GOR and As. Therefore, when optimizing the GOR or As, it is essential to impose constraints on the optimization objective that is not being prioritized. The optimization scheme focusing on As and constraining GOR resulted in an 18 % decrease in As, while the scheme emphasizing GOR and constraining As led to a 10 % increase in GOR. Overall, this novel mathematical model provides insights for improving the design of mixed-feed multi-effect distillation systems.
format Article
id doaj-art-ceada34cffd3479384c5bb836bdabd2a
institution OA Journals
issn 1944-3986
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Desalination and Water Treatment
spelling doaj-art-ceada34cffd3479384c5bb836bdabd2a2025-08-20T02:04:15ZengElsevierDesalination and Water Treatment1944-39862025-01-0132110096710.1016/j.dwt.2024.100967A novel mathematical model for mixed-feed multi-effect distillation system optimization designCong Liu0Rouman Li1Lin Xu2Weiqi Liu3Corresponding author.; Shenyang Institute of Engineering, Shenyang 110136, ChinaShenyang Institute of Engineering, Shenyang 110136, ChinaShenyang Institute of Engineering, Shenyang 110136, ChinaShenyang Institute of Engineering, Shenyang 110136, ChinaIn this work, a novel mathematical model called State-space Superstructure has been developed for the optimization design of a mixed-feed multi-effect distillation (MED) system. The model takes into account complex feeding arrangement relationships and aims to improve the thermal performance of the system. By using this model, novel mixed-feed arrangements have been obtained, which show improved performance compared to forward-feed arrangements in terms of gained output ratio (GOR) and specific heat transfer area (As). The GOR is increased by 16 % and As is decreased by 18 %. Additionally, the number of evaporators and preheaters can be reduced with these mixed-feed arrangements, resulting in a similar freshwater production capacity as a forward-feed MED system. Three optimal design schemes are studied, showing that there is a positive correlation between GOR and As. Therefore, when optimizing the GOR or As, it is essential to impose constraints on the optimization objective that is not being prioritized. The optimization scheme focusing on As and constraining GOR resulted in an 18 % decrease in As, while the scheme emphasizing GOR and constraining As led to a 10 % increase in GOR. Overall, this novel mathematical model provides insights for improving the design of mixed-feed multi-effect distillation systems.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S194439862420477XMulti-effect distillationMixed-feedState-space SuperstructureOptimization design
spellingShingle Cong Liu
Rouman Li
Lin Xu
Weiqi Liu
A novel mathematical model for mixed-feed multi-effect distillation system optimization design
Desalination and Water Treatment
Multi-effect distillation
Mixed-feed
State-space Superstructure
Optimization design
title A novel mathematical model for mixed-feed multi-effect distillation system optimization design
title_full A novel mathematical model for mixed-feed multi-effect distillation system optimization design
title_fullStr A novel mathematical model for mixed-feed multi-effect distillation system optimization design
title_full_unstemmed A novel mathematical model for mixed-feed multi-effect distillation system optimization design
title_short A novel mathematical model for mixed-feed multi-effect distillation system optimization design
title_sort novel mathematical model for mixed feed multi effect distillation system optimization design
topic Multi-effect distillation
Mixed-feed
State-space Superstructure
Optimization design
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S194439862420477X
work_keys_str_mv AT congliu anovelmathematicalmodelformixedfeedmultieffectdistillationsystemoptimizationdesign
AT roumanli anovelmathematicalmodelformixedfeedmultieffectdistillationsystemoptimizationdesign
AT linxu anovelmathematicalmodelformixedfeedmultieffectdistillationsystemoptimizationdesign
AT weiqiliu anovelmathematicalmodelformixedfeedmultieffectdistillationsystemoptimizationdesign
AT congliu novelmathematicalmodelformixedfeedmultieffectdistillationsystemoptimizationdesign
AT roumanli novelmathematicalmodelformixedfeedmultieffectdistillationsystemoptimizationdesign
AT linxu novelmathematicalmodelformixedfeedmultieffectdistillationsystemoptimizationdesign
AT weiqiliu novelmathematicalmodelformixedfeedmultieffectdistillationsystemoptimizationdesign