» Mechanical Vapor Compression

AquaSwiss Mechanical Vapor Compression (MVC) distillation is the most thermodynamically efficient process of single-purpose thermal desalination. The thermodynamic efficiency is derived from the application of the “heat pump” principle by a large volumetric flow compressor acting as the “heat pump”, which continuously recycles and keeps the latent heat exchanged in the evaporation and condensation steps within the system. The heat required to evaporate part of the processed feed, which flows on one side of a heat transfer surface, is supplied through the simultaneous condensation of the distillate, on the other side of the surface. This cycle of evaporation and condensation operates continuously. The principle is similar to our MED.

The “heat pump” work, plus the fraction required for liquid pumping, is the only energy consumed by the process. No additional heat is required, and no cooling water is needed for the heat rejection, as in other distillation processes.

MVC units are standard, factory-assembled and skid mounted units, proven by strict and thorough prototype testing at an R&D centre and by years of satisfactory experience with commercial plants operating throughout the world. The plants are simple, efficient and automatic.

The mechanical compressor creates a vacuum in the vessel and then compresses the vapor taken from the vessel and condenses it inside a tube bundle. Seawater is sprayed outside of the heated tube bundle where it boils and partially evaporates, producing more water.

A single MVC unit can be erected at site within 10-12 weeks.

The quality of the product water from the MVC unit exceeds public health standards by a wide margin. Typical applications are for downstream oil companies, oil facilities, refineries, petrochemical plants, industries like cement, tourism, factories, chemical plants etc.

AquaSwiss MVCs are:

  • suitable to treat brackish and seawater
  • able to produce boiler feed water with less than 10 ppm TDS guaranteed
  • superior in availability and reliability
  • flexible with load-following capabilities
  • fit for smaller plants in the range 500 to 5,000 m3/day per single unit