A	effective area of the membrane, m2
Am	cross-section area of the shim, m2
C	specific heat capacity, J/kg·°C
d	heat conduction distance on the shim, m
E	rate of electrical energy input, kJ/s
∆Hv	latent heat of evaporation, kJ/kg
J	permeate flux, L/m2·h
kf	conductivity of the feed, mS/cm
kp	conductivity of the permeate, mS/cm
Km	coefficient of thermal conductivity, W/m·K
∆m	mass reduction in feed, kg
Qin	total heat transfer to the system, W
Qv	heat transfer across the VMD, W
R	rejection rate, %
SEC	specific energy consumption of the system, kWh/L
SEEC	specific electrical energy consumption, kWh/L
STEC	specific thermal energy consumption, kWh/L
t	operation time, h
ΔT	temperature difference of the distance, K
Tbf	bulk temperature of the feed, °C
Tmf	membrane surface temperature on feed side, °C
TE	thermal efficiency, %
TPC	temperature polarization coefficient
ρ	density of feed solution, kg/L