CURRENT STATUS OF MATERIALS SELECTION FOR MSF DISTILLATION PLANTS

The trends in the choice of materials for the major components of MSF and other distillation plant are described. The historical experiences which have driven the move towards the increasing application of high er-grade materials such as stainless steels, copper-nickel alloys and titanium, are alluded to. These developments have been crucial in cont ributing to improved performance of plant, but it is argued that there are some circumstances in which a lower cost strategy, using lower gr ade materials, may be acceptable.