Solar Desalination System

Desalination of water using solar energy is called as solar desalination. Solar desalination is now used to address the water shortage problem. This method is both economical and effective to provide fresh water. It has dual use of both producing power and water for consumption.

Description of a System
The principle of the operation of solar desalination plant is that it separates water from salt by way of evaporation and then re-condensing the water. Solar desalination consist of high efficiency solar collector that provides heat for first evaporation. Multi Effect Distillation(MED) is also used along with a desalination unit which evaporates and condenses water number of times. However MED plants are generally used in places where large quantities of water are required.

A solar desalination system can operate 24 hours a day. It is driven by sunshine during daytime whereas backup fuel drive it at night. It also consist of an optional heat storage system that can be used beyond sunny hours. The most economically viable system incorporates solar collectors driving a steam turbine for power generation while the waste heat is used to drive the MED.




Components
The solar desalination plant has following components that produces power and helps in the desalination of water:

• Solar Field
• MED Multi Effect Distillation plant
• Power Block
• Steam Generator
• Backup Storage System