Design, modeling, and optimization of shell and tube exchangers in the thermal network of greenhouse effluent treatment

Due to the increase in freshwater demand and climatic threats such as the drought phenomenon, it is necessary to implement efficient methods in water and wastewater treatment. Therefore, it is very vital to provide solutions in the agricultural sector and related industries as the largest water consumer in the world. In this regard, the desalination of greenhouse effluent and its reuse by relying on different energy sources can be considered a big step towards the sustainable development of the agricultural industry. Shell and tube exchangers are widely used in various industries. This research is focused on design, simulation, and optimization of four exchangers connected together in the wastewater treatment network of a greenhouse with an area of 2000 m2 located in Tehran using HYSYS and EDR software. One of the advantages of this method compared to reverse osmosis is that it reduces pollution of the environment and water sources. Among the innovations of this research is the use of thermal methods in the agricultural industry. The obtained result shows that the first converter with a square arrangement includes 37 tubes with a length of 1650 mm, the second converter with a square arrangement includes 52 tubes with a length of 1850 mm, the third converter with a triangular arrangement includes 24 tubes with a length of 1700 mm, and the fourth with a square arrangement consisting of 24 tubes with a length of 800 mm. The network is optimal, and 160 L/h of freshwater are delivered to the greenhouse.