Application of direct steam generation into a solar parabolic trough collector to multieffect distillation

In this paper, the application of the direct steam generation into a solar parabolic trough collector to multieffect distillation is proposed and economically evaluated. The thermal fluid of the solar field is pure water, which boils as circulating along the solar collectors. The steam generated drives a multieffect distillation unit. This solar distillation system is compared with multieffect plants connected to a conventional parabolic trough collector field, and with fossil fuel powered distillation plants. Different parameters are analysed, the plant capacity and performance ratio, the cost of conventional thermal energy, the cost of the solar collectors, and the annual average of the fresh water obtained per m2 of solar collector. Results obtained are useful in finding the most suitable conditions in which solar energy could compete with conventional energies in solar desalination.