Alfa Laval adds high-pressure capability to the energy savings of the AQUA Blue freshwater generator

TUMBA, Sweden - Jan. 19, 2015 - PRLog -- Launched just over a year ago, the AQUA Blue freshwater generator employs a unique plate technology. Alfa Laval’s 3-in-1 AQUA plates allow evaporation, separation and condensation to occur within the same plate pack, which means only half the seawater flow and pumping energy are needed. Thanks to a new option for AQUA Blue, this solution will now be available in a stronger configuration that withstands considerably higher jacket water pressures.

Ready for today’s pressures – and tomorrow’s

Jacket water cooling systems, which often provide heat for the desalination process, have changed when it comes to two-stroke engines as a result of slow steaming. The changes have been aimed at preventing cold corrosion in the engine cylinder liners, but they have also resulted in higher jacket water pressures. Where 4 bar was the previous standard, pressures of 5 bar or more are common today.

“Jacket water pressures will likely continue to rise,” says Alex Jönsson, the Alfa Laval Regional Business Manager responsible for marketing AQUA Blue. “When MAN increased to 5 bar, many suppliers of freshwater generators assumed they could stretch the boundaries a little, and thus avoid making major changes. Since then, Wärtsilä has gone up to 6 bar.”

Alfa Laval, despite having the Alfa Laval JWP-26 freshwater generator that can operate at 5 bar, decided early on to create a high-pressure option for AQUA Blue. “We made the opposite assumption, that we need to be prepared for even higher jacket water pressures,” says Jönsson. “Clearly this was the right decision, and now AQUA Blue gives us substantial room for further increases. We will continue to observe the developments in the market and to customize AQUA Blue as changes and new requirements arise.”

Good news for shipyards designing large vessels

The greater strength of the high-pressure option, in addition to the system’s already compact construction, will also increase the attraction of AQUA Blue for shipyards. The stronger configuration will simplify the design of large vessels with a deep draught, which otherwise pose challenges for the condenser section of plate-based freshwater generators.

“Because of its pressure abilities, the new option will allow AQUA Blue to perform optimally even when much of the ship is below the waterline,” says Jönsson. “This combines with the minimized footprint and service area to make AQUA Blue a truly flexible option for shipyards as well as ship owners.”

To learn more about AQUA Blue and Alfa Laval’s approach to freshwater generation, visit www.alfalaval.com/aqua

Editor’s notes

About Alfa Laval

Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of specialized products and engineering solutions based on its key technologies of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling.

The company’s equipment, systems and services are dedicated to assisting customers in optimizing the performance of their processes. The solutions help them to heat, cool, separate and transport products in industries that produce food and beverages, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, starch, sugar and ethanol.

Alfa Laval’s products are also used in power plants, aboard ships, in the mechanical engineering industry, in the mining industry and for wastewater treatment, as well as for comfort climate and refrigeration applications.

Alfa Laval’s worldwide organization works closely with customers in nearly 100 countries to help them stay ahead in the global arena.

Alfa Laval is listed on Nasdaq OMX, and, in 2013, posted annual sales of about SEK 29.8 billion (approx. 3.5 billion Euros). The company has today, after the acquisition of Frank Mohn AS about 17 500 employees.

www.alfalaval.com

For further information, please contact:

Alex Jönsson

Regional Business Manager, Marine & Diesel, Fresh Water Generator

Phone: +45 21 47 39 99

Email:alex.jonsson@alfalaval.com

Sofia Rugfelt

Trade Press Manager

Marine & Diesel Division, Alfa Laval

Phone: +46 706 69 53 57
E-mail: sofia.rugfelt@alfalaval.com

www.alfalaval.com/marine