Productivity Prediction for the Progressive Freeze Desalination Process Using Heat and Mass Transfer Modeling

Abstract

Predicting the productivity of the freeze desalination process is of key importance. This paper describes an analytical method to predict the productivity for the progressive freeze desalination process utilizing the rectangular channel crystallizer design. The mass of ice produced during the process is considered a measure of productivity. The model was developed using heat and mass transfer modeling. The effect of coolant temperature (from −8 to −16 °C), liquid flow rate (4400–6000 mL min⁻¹), and initial salt concentration of the liquid (1.5–7 wt%) on the mass of ice produced was investigated. The analytical results of the mass of ice produced were compared with the experimental data. A plausible match was found between the analytical and experimental results, with an error range between 6 % and 9 %. The model can predict the mass of ice produced for given values of the initial salt concentration of the liquid, initial mass of the liquid, salt concentration of thawed ice, liquid flow rate, and coolant temperature.