Development, Calculation and Experimental Study of a Heat Pump for Vacuum Water Distillation Systems

• Published in: Chemical and petroleum engineering 2019-01, Vol.54 (9-10), p.658-665
• Main Authors: Malafeev, I. I., Marinyuk, B. T., Il’in, G. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Distilled water; Evaporation; Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences; Heat exchange; Heat pumps; Heat transfer coefficients; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Industrial Pollution Prevention; Mathematical analysis; Mechanical vapor compression; Mineral Resources; Power consumption; Vacuum distillation; Water; Water purification; Water treatment; Water treatment equipment
• ISSN: 0009-2355; 1573-8329
• DOI: 10.1007/s10556-019-00530-y

One of the most promising methods of water purification and distillation is the evaporation method using heat pump energy transformers. The article describes the developed scheme of a heat pump for vacuum distillation, which operates under atmospheric pressure with water at saturation temperatures in the range of 20–40 °C. Results of experimental studies on a specially made installation are presented. The proposed technical solution using a two-lobe Roots type vacuum compressor pump as the basic means of increasing the pressure is shown to be viable. A mathematical description of the unsteady heat and mass exchange process of a single-stage distillation unit with mechanical vapor compression was verified. An equation for calculating the heat transfer coefficient for evaporation of water under vacuum in a free volume on vertical pipes is proposed. Data on the performance and power consumption of the installation were obtained.