Watermaker
critical
Known Models (4)
Alfa Laval (Sweden) AQUA Fresh Water Generator
5-120 t/day freshwater
· Seawater → Freshwater
type: Plate-Type Vacuum Evaporator
size_range: ['AQUA-5', 'AQUA-10', 'AQUA-20', 'AQUA-60', 'AQUA-120']
variant_count_approx: 5
period_start_year: 1985
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive (engine waste heat)
construction: Titanium plate evaporator/condenser, vacuum shell
Common Failures:
- • Titanium plate fouling/scale
- • Ejector nozzle erosion
- • Salinity alarm from demister degradation
- • Vacuum pump failure
Service: Chemical descaling every 500-1,000 hrs. Salinity continuous monitoring.
Spares: Alfa Laval global. Lead time: 2-4 weeks standard, 6-10 weeks for titanium plates.
Rochem Marine / Wärtsilä (Germany/Finland) RO Desalination Plant
5-200 t/day freshwater
· Seawater → Freshwater (RO)
Voltage: 380-440V
type: Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant (Marine)
size_range: ['DTRO-5', 'DTRO-25', 'DTRO-50', 'DTRO-100', 'DTRO-200']
power_range_kw: [3, 100]
variant_count_approx: 5
period_start_year: 1995
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Electric (high-pressure pump)
construction: Disc-tube RO modules, high-pressure pump, pre-treatment
Common Failures:
- • RO disc-tube module fouling
- • High-pressure pump failure
- • Pre-treatment system issues
- • Membrane scaling from high TDS seawater
Service: CIP cleaning quarterly. Module replacement every 3-5 years. Pre-filter monthly.
Spares: Rochem/Wärtsilä. Lead time: 3-6 weeks.
Sasakura Engineering (Japan) VS Series Vacuum Evaporator
5-100 t/day freshwater
· Seawater → Freshwater
type: Vacuum Evaporator (Waste Heat FWG)
size_range: ['VS-15', 'VS-25', 'VS-50', 'VS-75', 'VS-100']
variant_count_approx: 5
period_start_year: 1960
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Passive (engine jacket water waste heat)
construction: Shell & tube or plate evaporator, vacuum shell, ejector
Common Failures:
- • Evaporator scale from tropical seawater (>32°C)
- • Ejector nozzle erosion from seawater
- • Demister pad fouling causing high salinity
- • Vacuum loss from gasket deterioration
- • Product water solenoid valve failure
Service: Chemical descaling every 500-1,000 hrs. Salinity monitoring continuous (<10 ppm). Ejector inspection annually. Demister pad cleaning/replacement at drydock.
Spares: Sasakura (Osaka). Lead time: 3-5 weeks Asia, 6-8 weeks elsewhere.
Sea Recovery / Parker Hannifin (USA) Reverse Osmosis Watermaker
0.5-50 t/day freshwater
· Seawater → Freshwater (RO Membrane)
Voltage: 380-440V / 230V
type: Reverse Osmosis Watermaker
size_range: ['Aqua Whisper', 'Aqua Matic', 'HRO Series']
power_range_kw: [1, 30]
variant_count_approx: 3
period_start_year: 1985
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Electric (high-pressure pump)
construction: High-pressure pump, RO membrane elements, pre-filters, control system
Common Failures:
- • RO membrane fouling from biological growth/scale
- • High-pressure pump seal failure
- • Pre-filter element clogging
- • Membrane degradation from chlorine exposure
- • Pressure vessel O-ring failure
Service: Pre-filter replacement monthly. Membrane cleaning (CIP) quarterly. Membrane replacement every 3-5 years. Product water quality test daily.
Spares: Sea Recovery/Parker (Carson, CA, USA). Lead time: 1-3 weeks. RO membranes: 2-4 weeks. Keep onboard: pre-filters, O-ring kit.