Alfa Laval can be found on board most ships and provides support through a global organization. Our products include systems for fuel conditioning, separation, heating, cooling, tank cleaning, filtration, desalination, waste treatment and ballast water treatment.

As a leading supplier, we strive for the most efficient, reliable and environ-mental solutions. Our drive is the partnership with our many customers – together we set the standard.

For more information, please visit us at www.alfalaval.com/marine

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The AQUA freshwater generator

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Alfa Laval on boardAlfa Laval can be found on most ships and in most

onboard processes. This includes freshwater generation,

where Alfa Laval has led the way since 1955.

Drawing on our many years of experience, we create new

advances based on well-known technologies. A perfect

example is the AQUA freshwater generator, which takes

vacuum desalination to new levels of efficiency and

economy.

AQUA’s all-in-one plate technology cuts seawater

requirements in half. And just as importantly, it makes

AQUA exceptionally easy to operate and maintain.

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Two sides of the AQUA storyThe story of the AQUA freshwater generator

is the story of a remarkable innovation, fully

tested both on and off shore. AQUA

represents a major process breakthrough,

with benefi ts for ship owners, ship operators

and shipyards alike.

One half of the story …

Through unique plate technology that requires only half

as much seawater, AQUA generates both fresh water

and savings for ship owners and ship operators. Half

the seawater fl ow translates into half the pumping

requirements, with a corresponding reduction in

electrical energy.

In other words, less fuel is consumed in running the

freshwater generator, and less CO2 is released into the

atmosphere as a result.

In addition, AQUA features wetted parts in titanium and

an optimized fl ow that keeps the natural build scaling to

a minimum. So like Alfa Laval’s global resources and

support, AQUA is a solution that will be available for the

lifetime of the ship.

… and the other half

In cutting the need for seawater in half, AQUA creates

substantial benefi ts for shipyards as well. Since there is

only half the seawater to move, the pumps that are

installed with AQUA can be smaller.

And that means a lower investment cost.

Likewise, there is less energy to invest in planning an

AQUA installation. The dimensions of the connecting

pipework can be smaller than that of other solutions,

and the compact design of the freshwater generator

allows fl exible placement in any engine room layout.

Since the plate pack opens easily within the space of

the AQUA frame, only a minimal service area is needed.

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AQUA – inside and outThe AQUA freshwater generator handles the entire desalination

process with a single plate pack and one type of titanium plate.

The result is an effi cient and easily handled solution.

Serving it all on one plate

The AQUA plate pack contains purpose-made

plates with 3-in-1 technology. Evaporation,

separation and condensation occur on a single

type of plate, designed with Alfa Laval’s fl uid

handling expertise.

Feed water passes through the lower section of

the plate pack, where it is evaporated at

40-60°C in a vacuum of 85-95%. As the

vapour rises between the plates, it passes

through the separator section, which causes

brine to fall into the sump at the bottom of the

freshwater generator. Only clean freshwater

vapour reaches the top section, where it is

cooled and condensed into fresh water.

Perfect distribution across the plates ensures

that dry spots are eliminated, which means the

natural scaling process is minimized. And

because the vacuum is contained in the plate

pack itself, no outer shell is necessary.

In many cases, additional plates are all that is

needed to increase freshwater capacity.

Room to move and grow

The space-saving construction of AQUA combines ease of

installation with ease of use. The AQUA plate pack simply

slides open for maintenance, which means that only a minimal

service area is required around the compact frame.

Not only is the freshwater generator itself smaller than other

solutions, so are the pumps and pipes connected to it.

1 Seawater feed

2 Heating medium in

3 Heating medium out

4 Seawater cooling in

5 Seawater cooling out

6 Evaporated steam

7 Fresh water out

8 Brine out

Green Condensation

Grey Separation

Red Evaporation

Build-on control panel

Support column

Carrying bar

Pressure plate

Plate pack

Distance pipe

Tightening bolts

Ejector

Freshwater pump with electric motor

Freshwater outlet

Frame plate

Process plate

Utility plate

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Doing the job with lessThe AQUA freshwater generator operates

economically with only half the seawater

fl ow. Though it provides exceptional long-

term effi ciency, it requires only minimal

maintenance.

Less seawater, less impact

AQUA makes effi cient use of the heat that already exists

on board, employing jacket water, steam injection or a

Hot Water Loop as a heating medium. But just as

importantly, it makes effi cient use of seawater. This

means that AQUA provides better operating economy,

not only compared to shell-and-tube models, but also

compared to other plate-based freshwater generators.

Because it requires only half the seawater fl ow needed

by any other freshwater generator, AQUA reduces the

necessary pumping capacity and allows smaller

seawater pumps to be installed. This in turn reduces the

consumption of electrical energy, which is usually

produced through the burning of expensive fuel.

Naturally, a reduction in fuel use means money saved.

But it also means savings for the environment. Cutting

fuel consumption means cutting CO2 emissions, and

that makes AQUA as good for the climate as it is for

your economy.

Less work and worry

Just as AQUA requires less electrical energy to generate

freshwater, it demands less energy from you. AQUA’s

operation is fully automatic, and its very low hold-up volume

prevents any sloshing due to pitch and roll. Moreover, the

system continuously controls the quality of the fresh water,

which has a lower salinity than that provided by other

solutions.

Due to optimized technology that inhibits the natural scaling

process, AQUA also provides longer maintenance intervals.

When maintenance is necessary, there are few bolts to handle

and no pipes to dismantle, and correct and easy reassembly

is ensured by AQUA’s design features. Among these are

gaskets with rubber fl aps that indicate proper plate assembly,

as well as distance pipes that ensure proper plate alignment

and correct tightening.

Best of all, AQUA’s wetted surfaces are all made of titanium,

which means there is no risk of corrosion or erosion. Natural

scaling can be kept to a minimum with a Cleaning-in-Place

(CIP) system and biodegradable chemicals – without opening

the freshwater generator.

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Keeping it simpleWith its streamlined installation and maintenance-friendly setup,

the AQUA freshwater generator reduces both initial investments

and lifecycle costs. This makes it an ideal solution for use on ships

and rigs, as well as in remote onshore locations.

Easy to fit or retrofit

AQUA means good news, both for shipyards and for

those looking to retrofit. Possible to install in any

direction, it allows for a more compact and flexible

installation.

In fact, AQUA saves considerable space and weight

over other types of freshwater generator. Not only does

AQUA itself have a smaller footprint, it also has a service

area up to 50 % smaller than that of shell-and-tube

models. In contrast to other plate-based models, the

vacuum is contained in the plate pack, so there is no

outer shell that requires extra space to open.

Also reduced is the size of the seawater pumps and

pipes, since AQUA needs only half of the seawater

required by other solutions. So the total installation,

including both the freshwater generator and the

surrounding equipment, can be made with less difficulty

and a lower investment.

Performance that lasts

As a start-and-forget answer to freshwater needs,

AQUA provides long-term as well as short-term benefits.

This is due to its use of proven Alfa Laval technology,

tested both on and off shore.

For example, AQUA takes full advantage of Alfa Laval’s

expertise in fluid handling. By better distributing a

smaller amount of water, AQUA avoids the creation of

dry spots, which helps to inhibit the natural process of

scaling. Together with the use of corrosion- and erosion-

resistant titanium for the plates and other wetted parts,

this ensures a trouble-free installation that will last the life

of the ship.

Likewise, AQUA is built to expand as demands increase.

Because the same efficient design covers the whole

operating range, additional plates are often all that is

needed to increase freshwater capacity.

In other words, AQUA is a single solution for both

today’s and tomorrow’s freshwater needs. And since

Alfa Laval is a global supplier, we can also meet your

need for service and support – around the clock and

around the world.

AQUA

Traditional plate-based system

Shell-and-tube system