A hybrid methodology for optimization of multi-stage flash-mixer desalination systems

In this paper, a new strategy involving an evolutionary algorithmic procedure for the optimization of Multiple Stage Flash (MSF-M) Systems is presented. A "detailed model" of an MSF-M System is developed according to rigorous material, momentum and energy balances for each stage. The model of the MSF-M System is represented as a complex NLP, which incorporates a high number of nonlinear constraints that difficult the global optimum determination. Here we present a hybrid methodology that uses optimal solutions obtained from a "thermodynamic method" to find the "economic global optimal solution". A pre-processing stage (solving successive NLPs) is used to initialize the final NLP problem. A Case Study and a discussion of the results are presented.