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

A steady flow of savings

The AQUA freshwater generator
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.

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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.

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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 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 flow 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 flow that keeps the natural build scaling to a minimum. So like Alfa Lavals 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 benefits 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 flexible 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.

AQUA inside and out

The AQUA freshwater generator handles the entire desalination process with a single plate pack and one type of titanium plate. The result is an efficient 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 Lavals fluid handling expertise. 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 through the separator section, which causes brine to fall into the sump at the bottom of the freshwater generator. Only clean freshwater
Utility plate Process plate 1 2
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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.

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.

Not only is the freshwater generator itself smaller than other solutions, so are the pumps and pipes connected to it.
Carrying bar Build-on control panel

Support column

Frame plate

Pressure plate

Freshwater outlet

Seawater feed Heating medium in Heating medium out Seawater cooling in Seawater cooling out Evaporated steam Fresh water out Brine out Freshwater pump with electric motor Plate pack Distance pipe

Tightening bolts

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Condensation Separation Evaporation

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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 AQUA makes efficient 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 efficient 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 flow 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. AQUAs 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 AQUAs design features. Among these are gaskets with rubber flaps that indicate proper plate assembly, as well as distance pipes that ensure proper plate alignment and correct tightening. Best of all, AQUAs 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.

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 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.
AQUA

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 Lavals 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 needed to increase freshwater capacity. 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.

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.
Traditional plate-based system

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.

Shell-and-tube system

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