Abstract
A dual purpose desalination plant consists of two interacting cycles: the steam-power cycle and the seawater-freshwater cycle. Maximum electric power is generated by the complete condensation of the high pressure steam in the turbine. On the other hand, if the quality of the uncondensating steam is increased, the amount of the fresh water produced will be increased significantly. On the other hand, there are certain limits in the capability of the desalination plant to use available uncondensating steam. In this paper the operation of the steam-power cycle of an operating MSF dual purpose desalination plant will be optimized to achieve maximum boiler efficiency that satisfies predetermined water and power demands. The interaction between the power and water production and their effects on the operation of the steam-power cycle will also be studied.