Solar assisted multiple-effect evaporator

- Integration of solar thermal system with multiple-effect evaporator.
- Cost minimization of integrated system by optimization of operating parameters.
- Role of auxiliary heating source on economic feasibility of the integrated system.
- Beak even price for solar thermal collector.

Multiple-effect evaporator (MEE) is used for concentrating the liquor. A substantial energy saving can be achieved by integrating MEE with a thermo-vapor compressor (TVC). TVC is a device in which the low-pressure vapor produced from MEE is compressed with the help of the high-pressure motive steam supplied externally, to produce a medium pressure vapor. This medium pressure vapor acts as a heat source for MEE. The high-pressure motive steam can be produced from concentrating solar thermal system, which is a renewable and non-polluting source of energy. The present study deals with the integration of linear Fresnel reflector (LFR) with MEE-TVC system. The objective of the present work is to minimize the total annual cost for the integrated MEE-TVC and LFR system. The important parameters affecting the annual cost for the integrated system are solar design radiation and temperature of the motive steam. A methodology is developed to determine the optimal solar radiation and steam temperature. The proposed methodology is demonstrated through a case study for manufacturing of corn glucose. The annual cost for the system is 87,106 $/y, with optimal steam temperature 250 °C and optimal design radiation 600 W/m2. Sensitivity analysis is also carried out for the selection of the optimal operating parameters. The cost of the auxiliary heating source plays a dominating factor on the economic feasibility of the integrated system.