Multi-effects desalination system

A multi-effects desalination system, comprising:

• a steam source;
• a thermal vapor compressor unit operatively providing a first source of steam, the compressor unit having an input for receiving steam from the steam source, and at least one additional input;
• at least three vessels, each vessel consisting of:
• a plurality of heat tubes, each heat tube having a first end operatively configured to receive the steam, and a second end operatively configured for releasing uncondensed steam;
• a housing operatively coupled to the heat tubes for receiving the uncondensed steam released from each of the heat tubes, the housing further including:
• a preheater tube bundle;
• and
• means for collecting and discharging fresh water;
• a plurality of sprayers coupled to the preheater bundle, the plurality of sprayers operatively configured for dispersing saline water onto the heat tubes;
• means for collecting and discharging brine water;
• a source fluid coupling for transferring the first source of steam from the compressor unit to the first end of the plurality of heat tubes in the first vessel;
• first fluid couplings between each pair of the at least three vessels for transferring the discharged brine water to the successive vessel, each of the first fluid couplings having a pump;
• second fluid couplings connected to each of the at least three vessels for transferring the discharged fresh water, each of the second fluid couplings having a pump;
• third fluid couplings between each pair of the at least three vessels for transferring the uncondensed steam from each housing to the successive first ends of the heat tubes of the successive vessels;
• fourth fluid couplings selectively coupling the third and successive vessels of the at least three vessels for transferring a portion of the uncondensed steam to the compressor unit;
• a condenser for receiving cooling fluid from the saline water source, and operatively configured to distribute saline water to each preheater tube bundle in each housing of each vessel;
• a first pump operatively coupled for pumping the saline water from a saline water source into the condenser;
• a second pump operatively coupled for pumping the saline water from the condenser to a first of the at least three vessels;
• a third pump operatively couple for pumping fresh water from each of the at least three vessels to a fresh water tank;
• and
• a fourth pump operatively couple for pumping brine water to the saline water source.