The GOR of the evaporator in MED can be enhanced by addition of a thermocompressor between one of the cells and the hot one. Using LP or MP steam this static compressor will take part of the vapour raised in one of the cells and recycle it into higher pressure vapour to be used as heating media for the first effect.

The sketch shows the typical arrangement of an MED evaporator with thermocompression (MED-TVC). Whereas the GOR of the evaporator in MED would be in the range of 3 (using LLP steam) the GOR of sketch would rather reach 6 to 10 (using LP or MP steam).

• Very low electrical consumption (less than 1.0 kWh/m3) compared to other thermal processes such as Multi Stage Flash (MSF) or membrane processes (Reverse Osmosis)
• Operate at low temperature (< 70°C) and at low concentration (< 1.5) to avoid corrosion and scaling
• Produce steadily high purity distillate
• Do not need complex pre-treatment of sea water and are tolerant to variations of sea water conditions
• Are highly reliable and simple to operate
• Reduce civil works cost thanks to reduced foot print
• Are simple to install with packaged units mounted on skids and delivered ready for use, after easy installation
• Have a low maintenance cost (no rotating parts except low pressure pumps)
• Operate 24 hours a day with minimum supervision
• Ideal for coupling with power plants, steam can be used at any pressure from 1 to 40 bar abs
• Allow very high thermal efficiencies and savings in fuel costs
• Range up to 15 MIGD (68 000 m3/day) per unit