A　thermal　vapor　compression　(TVC)　based　desalination　system　for　oilfield　wastewater　is　proposed　to　solve　the　difficulties　resulted　from　complex　and　highly　polluting　substances　in　the　wastewater,　since　commonly　used　membrane　methods　are　inapplicable.　A　mathematical　model　for　process　simulation　and　design　is　developed　and　the　influence　of　evaporation　temperature　on　the　system　performance　is　analyzed.　The　results　show　that　the　performance　ratio　increases　as　the　evaporation　temperature　decreases.　Lowering　evaporation　temperature　may　significantly　reduce　the　steam　consumption,　but　may　greatly　increase　the　heat　transfer　area　and　cooling　water　flow　rate.