A two-stage freshwater generator will soon join the Alfa Laval Aqua Blue family, which is said to, compared with single-stage units, produce twice as much fresh water for a certain amount of waste heat – or the same amount of fresh water using around half the waste heat.
Thanks to Aqua plate technology, both models are far more efficient than competing systems. Introduced in 2008, Alfa Laval’s Aqua plate technology cuts seawater needs and power consumption for freshwater generation in half. Since then, the Aqua Blue family of freshwater generators has steadily grown and improved. In early 2023, the single-stage Aqua Blue E1 will be joined by a two-stage counterpart: the Aqua Blue E2.
Alfa Laval’s Head of Marine Heat Transfer Serdar Sengun said: “The Aqua Blue E2 has all the strengths of the Aqua Blue E1, including Aqua plates with non-glued gaskets. By having two stages, it takes the green benefits even further. Shipowners can get twice the fresh water out for the energy put in, or they can use the added efficiency to save in other ways.”
As shipowners move to decarbonise, the two-stage Aqua Blue E2 can help through doubled capacity compared to the single-stage model, meeting an increased need for fresh water, e.g. in connection with alternative fuels. Conversely, it can meet the existing need for fresh water with around half the waste heat input. Saved waste heat can be used to generate electricity when the Alfa Laval E-PowerPack is also installed on board. But using less heat to produce fresh water can also help meet sustainability requirements. Vessels that must slow steam due to their CII rating or EEXI can retain their production of fresh water with the limited waste heat available.
Sengun said: “Other two-stage freshwater generators can manage these scenarios, but none can do it with the same high efficiency as the Aqua Blue E2. That’s because Aqua plate technology uses just half the seawater and electrical power compared to other desalination methods.”
Despite its capacity range, the Aqua Blue E2 handles the entire desalination process within a single plate pack. As with other Aqua Blue models, this creates installation advantages through a small footprint and limited pipework. Non-glued gaskets, which were introduced with the Aqua Blue E1, allow easy maintenance on board.
Sengun concluded: “The Aqua Blue E2 is a product of superlatives. Vessels can produce fresh water of the highest quality with minimal space and effort – and with the greatest energy efficiency.”
