multistage flash distillation
Quick Summary
Multistage flash distillation is a thermal desalination process used to separate fresh water from salt water. It is the most common method for producing desalted water globally.1
The process occurs in a series of vessels, or stages, each at a lower internal pressure than the last. Preheated saltwater enters the first stage, and the reduced pressure causes some of the water to rapidly boil and turn into vapor (flash). This vapor then condenses into fresh water on heat-exchange tubes within the stage. The remaining brine flows to the next stage, where the process repeats at an even lower pressure, allowing for repeated vaporization and condensation with minimal additional heat input. A multistage flash plant can have up to 40 stages.1
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