Thermoeconomic analysis of solar powered desalination system for Antalya province

In this study, the energy, exergy, and thermo-economic performances of a 5-effect MED-TVC (Multi-Effect Distillation – Thermal Vapour Compression) desalination system, integrated with vacuum tube solar collectors and designed for the climatic conditions of Antalya, Turkey, were analyzed in detail. The system converts seawater into fresh water through a multi-stage evaporation and condensation process, while the thermal vapour compression (TVC) unit enhances thermal efficiency by recompressing low-pressure vapour for reuse in the first effect. By replacing natural gas with vacuum tube solar collectors as the primary heat source, the system has been transformed into an environmentally friendly and economically viable solution in the long term. The thermodynamic analysis of the system was supported by second-law (exergy) analysis. Using the temperature, pressure, enthalpy, entropy, and mass flow rate data at each point of the system, the exergy efficiency and exergy destruction of each component were calculated. In the thermo-economic analysis, the system's total annual cost was determined by considering both capital investment and operating & maintenance (O&M) costs. The impact of integrating solar collectors on the overall cost was evaluated, demonstrating that solar energy represents a cost-effective solution in the long run, particularly in regions like Antalya with high solar potential. Furthermore, the thermo-economic analysis of the system was investigated using parabolic trough collectors instead of vacuum tube collectors. Although the system performance is expected to improve with parabolic trough collectors, it was observed that they increase the overall system cost, making them less economically favorable despite their higher thermal performance. As a result, the MED-TVC system supported by vacuum tube solar collectors proves to be a sustainable, economically feasible, and environmentally applicable solution under Antalya's climatic conditions. This system can be implemented as a pilot plant for water supply in coastal settlements, tourist areas, and island communities. Key improvement recommendations include optimization of the first-effect heat exchanger, adjustment of the TVC unit's motive steam pressure, mineral recovery from brine waste, and implementation of a real-time system performance monitoring system.