Multi Stage Flash Desalination (MSF): Operation, Maintenance, Heat-balance, Performance, Optimization

The Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) plants are the majority of desalination plants in the Middle East. This course is designed to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the MSF distillation technology. The course will focus on practical engineering rather than academic considerations. It is suitable for engineers of all disciplines and water utility employees being trained to purchase, operate and maintain MSF distillers. The course will cover operation, maintenance, Heat Balance, performance, optimization and plant management. It will give clear step-by-step instructions for starting a large MSF plant and for subsequent troubleshooting.

Further, the course is suitable for personnel in other types of distillation plant as well as for corrosion engineers and chemists. It deals with those aspects of desalination which significantly affect plant life and cost and includes theory as well as detailed information specific to the MSF process. In general, the course is useful for engineers and operators in both desalination and power plants, and will interest technical personnel in process industries.

The course will describe also the common interface of MSF desalination with associated power plants in various configurations. Desalination Power Generation matching criteria including hybrid system configurations, typical calculation of MSF stage heat transfer areas, process streams overall power and desalination plant balance.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the delegates will be able to:

• Illustrate the basic process of Multi-Stage (MSF) technology
• Identify the different types of MSF plants and determine the criteria for clarification
• Apply and gain an in-depth knowledge in the operation, heat balance, performance, optimization of MSF desalinations plants
• Determine the principles and processes of thermal desalination technology emphasizing the classification, historical & market status, MSF flashing stage, basic heat & mass flows, performance ration, fouling and scaling
• Determine the MSF process description including flow sheets and main process parameters profiles
• Carryout proper maintenance procedures of MSF plants tube cleaning, chemical cleaning of metals and sponge balls

Course Outline

Day 1

• Introduction to Multi-Stage Desalination (MSF) Technology
• Introduction to Desalination Technologies
• Evaporation Flashing Theories
• Energy Sources for MSF Systems
• Single and Multistage Flash Analysis
• Energy Auditing Technologies
• Thermodynamics and Energy Calculations
• Efficient Energy Transfer through MSF
• Water Chemistry in relation to Energy Transfer
• MSF Advanced Model
  
• Principles and Processes of Thermal Desalination
• Classification of MSF and flashing stage
• Historical development & market status
• Basic heat & mass flows
• Performance Ratio
• Fouling and scaling

Day 2

• Types of MSF plants
• MSF Plant Components & Equipment
• Stages
• Brine Heater
• Pumps
• Valves
• Measuring Instruments
• Auxiliaries System
• Material Selection
• Layout of MSF Desalination Plant
• Measured Parameters from Control Room
• Steam Temperature & Pressure to Brine Heater
• Vacuum Values in Different Stages
• Steam Pressure & Temperature to Deaerator
• Ejector Section Steam Conditions & Flow Rate
• Pumping Power for the Different Pumps
• Optimization Techniques for Maximum System Effectiveness & Performance
• System Thermo-Economic Evaluation

Day 3

• Efficient Energy Transfer through MSF
• Braine Pool Characteristics to minimize Energy
• Proper Demister Configuration
• Condenser Design for Energy Conservation
• Ejector Economical Energy Consumption
• Vacuum Affect in MSF Productivity
• Calculations of GOR and PR
• Optimal Operation Activities
• Workshop in the Energy Consumption
• Optimization of Energy Consumption
• Second Law Analysis
• MSF System Irreversibility
• Unit Energy Cost
• Analysis of MSF System Losses Methods used for Energy Optimization
• Best Operation & Maintenance Strategies
• Optimum Energy Consumption
• Fouling Effect on System Energy
• Desalination Economic Evaluation Program
• Workshop in Energy Optimization Techniques

Day 4

• MSF in Cogeneration System
• Introduction to Cogeneration Plants
• MSF with Steam Turbine Plants
• MSF with Gas Turbine Plants
• Economical Evaluation in Cogeneration Plant
• Evaluation of gain Output Ratio (GOR)
• Evaluation of Recovery Ratio (RO)
• Workshop in Cogeneration Performance Analysis
• MSF Plat Operation, Maintenance, Heat Balance, Optimization Strategies
• Steady State Operation
• Part Load Operation
• Control & Dynamics Performance Analysis

### Day 5

• Continuation of MSF Plant Operation, Maintenance, Heat Balance, Optimization Strategies
• Optimization Operation Process
• Condition monitoring Strategy
• Maintenance Program Scheduling
• Economy Aspects of MSF Operation
• MSF Thermodynamic Modeling
• Process Description
• Mathematical Model
• System Performance Analysis
• Modification of Existing MSF Plants
• Heat Balance Calculation
• Problems & Solutions

• GT with Heat Recovery Boiler

  Course Methodology

A variety of methodologies will be used during the course that includes:

• (30%) Based on Case Studies
• (30%) Techniques
• (30%) Role Play
• (10%) Concepts
• Pre-test and Post-test
• Variety of Learning Methods
• Lectures
• Case Studies and Self Questionaires
• Group Work
• Discussion
• Presentation