Multiple Effect Evaporation (MEE)

MEE is used when a large amount of water has to be evaporated and steam is inexpensive. The first effect is steam-heated, and vapour from the first evaporator heats the following (second) effect. The second effect vapour heats the third effect, and so on. By utilizing MEE, the specific energy consumption falls significantly. The number of effects ranges from 2 to 10, and is typically limited by the temperature difference between the heating and cooling media on the one hand and the optimum between investment cost vs. energy savings on the other.