A Steady Flow of Savings: The AQUA Freshwater Generator

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 environmental solutions. Our drive is the
partnership with our many customers
together we set the standard.
A steady flow of savings
For more information, please visit us at

www.alfalaval.com/marine
EMD00184EN 0809
AQUA is a trademark owned and registerered and owned by Alfa Laval Corporate AB.
Alfa Laval is a trademark registered and owned by Alfa Laval Corporate AB. Alfa Laval reserves the right to change specifications without prior notification.
The AQUA freshwater generator
Alfa Laval
on board
Alfa 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.
AQUAs all-in-one plate technology cuts seawater
requirements in half. And just as importantly, it makes
AQUA exceptionally easy to operate and maintain.
2
Two sides of the AQUA story

The 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 benefits for ship owners, ship operators
and shipyards alike.
One half of the story
and the other half
Through unique plate technology that requires only half
In cutting the need for seawater in half, AQUA creates
as much seawater, AQUA generates both fresh water
substantial benefits for shipyards as well. Since there is
and savings for ship owners and ship operators. Half
only half the seawater to move, the pumps that are
the seawater flow translates into half the pumping
installed with AQUA can be smaller.
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.
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
In addition, AQUA features wetted parts in titanium and
allows flexible placement in any engine room layout.
an optimized flow that keeps the natural build scaling to
Since the plate pack opens easily within the space of
a minimum. So like Alfa Lavals global resources and
the AQUA frame, only a minimal service area is needed.
support, AQUA is a solution that will be available for the

lifetime of the ship.
AQUA inside and out

The AQUA freshwater generator handles the entire desalination
Room to move and grow
process with a single plate pack and one type of titanium plate.
The space-saving construction of AQUA combines ease of
The result is an efficient and easily handled solution.
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.
Serving it all on one plate
vapour reaches the top section, where it is
The AQUA plate pack contains purpose-made
cooled and condensed into fresh water.
plates with 3-in-1 technology. Evaporation,
Perfect distribution across the plates ensures
separation and condensation occur on a single

type of plate, designed with Alfa Lavals fluid
handling expertise.
Not only is the freshwater generator itself smaller than other

solutions, so are the pumps and pipes connected to it.
that dry spots are eliminated, which means the
Carrying bar
natural scaling process is minimized. And
Build-on control panel
because the vacuum is contained in the plate
Feed water passes through the lower section of

the plate pack, where it is evaporated at
40-60C in a vacuum of 85-95%. As the
vapour rises between the plates, it passes
pack itself, no outer shell is necessary.
Support column
In many cases, additional plates are all that is

needed to increase freshwater capacity.
Frame plate
through the separator section, which causes

brine to fall into the sump at the bottom of the
Pressure plate
freshwater generator. Only clean freshwater

Utility plate
Freshwater outlet
Process plate
Seawater feed
Heating medium in
Heating medium out
Seawater cooling in
Seawater cooling out
Evaporated steam
Fresh water out
Brine out
Green
Tightening bolts
Distance pipe
Freshwater pump
with electric motor
Plate pack
Condensation
Grey
Separation
Red
Evaporation
1
1
Ejector
Doing the job with less

The AQUA freshwater generator operates
economically with only half the seawater
flow. Though it provides exceptional longterm efficiency, it requires only minimal
maintenance.
Less seawater, less impact
Less work and worry
AQUA makes efficient use of the heat that already exists
Just as AQUA requires less electrical energy to generate
on board, employing jacket water, steam injection or a
freshwater, it demands less energy from you. AQUAs
Hot Water Loop as a heating medium. But just as
operation is fully automatic, and its very low hold-up volume
importantly, it makes efficient use of seawater. This
prevents any sloshing due to pitch and roll. Moreover, the
means that AQUA provides better operating economy,
system continuously controls the quality of the fresh water,
not only compared to shell-and-tube models, but also
which has a lower salinity than that provided by other
compared to other plate-based freshwater generators.
solutions.
Because it requires only half the seawater flow needed
Due to optimized technology that inhibits the natural scaling
by any other freshwater generator, AQUA reduces the
process, AQUA also provides longer maintenance intervals.
necessary pumping capacity and allows smaller
When maintenance is necessary, there are few bolts to handle
seawater pumps to be installed. This in turn reduces the
and no pipes to dismantle, and correct and easy reassembly
consumption of electrical energy, which is usually
is ensured by AQUAs design features. Among these are
produced through the burning of expensive fuel.
gaskets with rubber flaps that indicate proper plate assembly,
Naturally, a reduction in fuel use means money saved.

But it also means savings for the environment. Cutting
as well as distance pipes that ensure proper plate alignment

and correct tightening.
fuel consumption means cutting CO2 emissions, and
Best of all, AQUAs wetted surfaces are all made of titanium,
that makes AQUA as good for the climate as it is for
which means there is no risk of corrosion or erosion. Natural
your economy.
scaling can be kept to a minimum with a Cleaning-in-Place

(CIP) system and biodegradable chemicals without opening
the freshwater generator.
Keeping it simple
With 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
Performance that lasts
AQUA means good news, both for shipyards and for
As a start-and-forget answer to freshwater needs,
those looking to retrofit. Possible to install in any

direction, it allows for a more compact and flexible
This is due to its use of proven Alfa Laval technology,
installation.
tested both on and off shore.
In fact, AQUA saves considerable space and weight
For example, AQUA takes full advantage of Alfa Lavals
AQUA
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.
Traditional
plate-based system
AQUA provides long-term as well as short-term benefits.
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
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 erosionresistant 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
surrounding equipment, can be made with less difficulty
needed to increase freshwater capacity.
and a lower investment.
In other words, AQUA is a single solution for both

todays and tomorrows 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.
Shell-and-tube
system
10
11

A Steady Flow of Savings: The AQUA Freshwater Generator

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Alfa Laval can be found on board most

ships and provides support through a

A steady flow of savings

For more information, please visit us at

The AQUA freshwater generator

Alfa Laval can be found on most ships and in most

Two sides of the AQUA story

and the other half

Through unique plate technology that requires only half

In cutting the need for seawater in half, AQUA creates

as much seawater, AQUA generates both fresh water

substantial benefits for shipyards as well. Since there is

and savings for ship owners and ship operators. Half

only half the seawater to move, the pumps that are

the seawater flow translates into half the pumping

installed with AQUA can be smaller.

requirements, with a corresponding reduction in

And that means a lower investment cost.

In addition, AQUA features wetted parts in titanium and

allows flexible placement in any engine room layout.

an optimized flow that keeps the natural build scaling to

Since the plate pack opens easily within the space of

a minimum. So like Alfa Lavals global resources and

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

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

AQUA inside and out

Room to move and grow

The space-saving construction of AQUA combines ease of

The result is an efficient and easily handled solution.

installation with ease of use. The AQUA plate pack simply

Serving it all on one plate

vapour reaches the top section, where it is

The AQUA plate pack contains purpose-made

cooled and condensed into fresh water.

plates with 3-in-1 technology. Evaporation,

Perfect distribution across the plates ensures

separation and condensation occur on a single

Not only is the freshwater generator itself smaller than other

that dry spots are eliminated, which means the

natural scaling process is minimized. And

Build-on control panel

because the vacuum is contained in the plate

Feed water passes through the lower section of

pack itself, no outer shell is necessary.

In many cases, additional plates are all that is

through the separator section, which causes

freshwater generator. Only clean freshwater

Heating medium out

Seawater cooling out

Fresh water out

Doing the job with less

Less work and worry

AQUA makes efficient use of the heat that already exists

Just as AQUA requires less electrical energy to generate

on board, employing jacket water, steam injection or a

freshwater, it demands less energy from you. AQUAs

Hot Water Loop as a heating medium. But just as

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