Improving Distillate Water Quality in Multi-Stage Flash Desalination through Integrated and Optimised Antiscalant–Antifoam Strategies for Scaling and Foaming Mitigation
Keywords:
Antifoam, antiscalant, distillate water quality, multi-stage flash desalinationAbstract
Maintaining high distillate water quality in multi-stage flash (MSF) desalination remains challenging under high-temperature and high-concentration conditions that promote inorganic scaling and foaming. This study optimises antiscalant–antifoam treatment strategies to mitigate these effects and enhance distillate quality. Commercial formulations (Be1-5 and Sc1-7) were evaluated through feedwater chemistry analysis, physicochemical and structural characterisation (XRF, FTIR, SEM–EDX), and performance testing under representative MSF conditions. Scaling propensity was governed primarily by multivalent ions rather than by bulk salinity, with deposits dominated by Ca (32.10–32.30%), Mg, and Fe, indicating concurrent mineral scaling and inlet-side corrosion. Antiscalants were identified as polyacrylate-based polymers functionalised with carboxylate, phosphonate, and sulfonate groups, while antifoams consisted mainly of EO/PO polyoxyalkylene chains. Optimisation results show that effective control occurs within formulation-specific concentration windows rather than at maximum dosage. Sc1, Sc7, and Sc6 exhibit optimal performance at 4–6 ppm, maintaining near-neutral pH (≈5.8–7.6), low total dissolved solids (<10 mg L⁻¹), low conductivity (<10 µS cm⁻¹), and high resistivity (>150 kΩ·cm). In contrast, Sc2 and Sc4 exhibit strong sensitivity to overdosing, with concentrations ≥5 ppm leading to excessive ionic dispersion and elevated conductivity (>80 µS cm⁻¹). The addition of Antifoam at 0.12 ppm suppresses foam-induced entrainment but cannot offset improper antiscalant dosing. The optimal composition is identified as Sc7: Be5 (5:0.12 ppm), which provides low ionic content, a stable pH, and a broad operational window. These findings establish a structure–chemistry–performance framework for optimising chemical treatment in water desalination.
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