E-METS employs membrane distillation (MD), a thermally driven desalination process that uses a hydrophobic membrane to separate water vapor from saline water. Operating at lower temperatures, it enhances energy efficiency, especially when integrated with waste heat or solar energy, making it ideal for brine concentration and small-scale desalination applications.

The vaporization process in membrane distillation and confined forced-flow boiling on enhanced boiling tubes, with optimized liquid flow distribution, enables efficient high-salinity water recovery while minimizing fouling on heat exchange surfaces. Unlike traditional Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) systems, horizontal falling film evaporators are more susceptible to scaling at high feed salinities due to liquid film dryout on the external tube surfaces.

Condensation latent heat recovery within vapor chambers for raw feed preheating, inducing enhanced in-tube flow evaporation and partial re-heat of saline feed in subsequent membrane chambers.

A distinguishing feature of E-METS is direct vapor condensation, where vapor from each feed chamber condenses within the adjacent vapor chamber of the same effect. In contrast, conventional MED desalination plants use transmission lines to channel vapor from one effect to the next, increasing heat and mass transport resistance. By eliminating these vapor transmission lines, E-METS significantly reduces thermodynamic losses to enhance system throughput while lowering specific energy consumption.

E-METS is a modular system designed to accommodate specific production requirements. The interchangeable elementary modules enhance accessibility, requiring minimal technical expertise, reducing operational downtime, and potentially lower maintenance costs. The system’s integration of novel membrane thermal separation processes reduces material usage, leading to lower material costs and an overall reduction in system expenses.