\EVAPORATOR--- FRESH WATER GENERATOR

The basic principle is that it involves heating and evaporation of sea

water to produce fresh water by using the waste heat in the jacket
cooling water of the diesel engines. The heat exchanger in the fresh
water generator is connected to jacket cooling water system of the diesel
engine, and is thus working as an extra cooler. Un-evaporated water is
discharged as brine and that which is evaporated passes through the
demister, where after condensation it is discharged to fresh water
storage tank by fresh water pump.

The fresh water generator can only be started when the ship is 20
nautical miles away from the port and after sea speed is given, after the
temperature and pressure parameters are normal. Also the vessel should
not be in the congested waters, or not manoeuvring. This is done
because near the shore the effluents from factories and sewage are
discharged into sea can get into the fresh water generator.

OBJECTIVE OF F.W.G----

Production of water should be in excess of daily consumption. Remove

salt and solids from sea water. Treat and store generated water. Treat
water for bacterial infection.

Methods used on board the ship are---

 Distillation
 Reverse Osmosis

Distillation is the production of pure water from sea water by

evaporating and re-condensing. Distilled water is produced as a result of
evaporating sea water either by a boiling or a flash process. This
evaporation enables the reduction of the 32000parts per million of
dissolved solids in sea water down to one or two percent in distilled
water.

Boiling Process—This type of evaporator boils the sea water at the

saturation temperature corresponding to the pressure in the evaporator
and is known as boiling evaporator. In a boiling evaporator the water is
maintained continuously at its saturation temperature –in other words,
latent heat is added—while in the flash evaporator, it is sensible heat
that is supplied.

Flash Process—This type of evaporator heats the water in one

compartment before it is released into a second compartment in which
the pressure is substantially lower, causing some of water to flash into
vapour. This type of evaporator is known as a flash evaporator. In flash
evaporator , it is sensible heat that is supplied.
REVERSE OSMOSIS--- Reverse osmosis is a water filtration process
which makes use of semi-permeable membrane-like materials. Salt (sea)
water on one side of the membrane (fig 3.14a) is pressurized by a pump
and forced against the material. Pure water passes through but the
membrane is able to prevent passage of the salts. For production of
larger amounts of pure water, the membrane area must be large and it
must be arranged in a configuration which makes it strong enough to
withstand the very high pump pressure needed.

The membranes used for reverse osmosis have a dense barrier layer in
the polymer matrix where most separation occurs. In most cases the
membrane is designed to allow only water to pass through this dense
layer while preventing the passage of solutes (such as salt ions). This
process requires that a high pressure be exerted on the high
concentration side of the membrane, usually 2-17 bar (30-250 psi) for
fresh and brackish water, and 40-70 bar (600-1000 psi) for seawater,
which has around 24 bar (350 psi) natural osmotic pressure which must
be overcome.

In reverse osmosis, in a similar setup as that in osmosis, pressure is

applied to the compartment with high concentration. In this case, there
are two forces influencing the movement of water: the pressure caused
by the difference in solute concentration between the two compartments
(the osmotic pressure) and the externally applied pressure.

SENSIBLE HEAT OF WATER---

This is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature

of unit mass of water to any given value. The liquid heat at the freezing
point, 00 C. or 320F, is normally taken as the arbitrary zero. Then the
sensible heat at t0F is quantity of heat which must be added to unit mass
of water to raise the temperature from 320F to t0 F.
Actually, the heat which must be supplied to raise the temperature of
unit mass of water varies, to a slight extent, according to the conditions
under which the heat is supplied.

LATENT HEAT==
In a boiler, the temperature of the water has been raised to the
saturation point corresponding to the pressure; the further addition of
heat at constant pressure generates steam at constant temperature. The
heat added during this process is termed latent heat because it is
absorbed by the water without any change of temperature and so
becomes “latent”. More specifically, the latent heat of vapourization L is
defined as the heat required to convert 1 lb. of dry and saturated steam.
The latent heat diminishes as the saturation temperature is raised.

In other words--- The heat which is required to change the state of a

substance from solid to liquid, or from liquid to gas, without change of
temperature. The numerical value of the specific latent heat is the
amount of heat required to change the state of unit mass. Most
substances have a latent heat of fusion (melting) and a latent heat of
evaporation. In thermodynamics, heat supplied at constant pressure is
called enthalpy, and thus specific latent heat of evaporation is called
enthalpy of evaporation.

Principle, construction & operation of fresh water generator==

Submerged type—Boiling Evaporator---Steam Evaporator

The submerged tube type of boiling evaporator (fig 5.1) was extensively
used for many years. These evaporators were bulky and heavy and, in
the absence of constant, careful attention they primed readily (carry
over of sea water into the distilled water side), their thermal
performance was poor and they required frequent de-scaling, usually by
physical effort.

Single-effect boiling evaporator consists of a vertical cylindrical shell, the

lower half is the water space which houses steam-heated copper coils,
the upper half is the vapour space and contains baffle plate to scrub off
any water particles which might rise with the vapour.

Sea water is pumped into the evaporator, hot coil cause the sea water to
boil, the vapour given off passes through the vapour valve at the top and
is led to a condenser where it is condensed. The temperature at which
the sea water boils will depend on saturated vapour pressure inside the
shell.

As the sea water boils and passes away as vapour, the salt and other
solids are left behind which causes an increase in the density of the
water in the evaporator, therefore, to maintain a pre-determined steady
low density, the evaporator is run with a constant blow down through
the brine ejector.
Fittings on the evaporator --- A steam valve to coils, a steam pressure
gauge to indicate the pressure of the heating steam, a reducing orifice
between the coil and the steam valve to limit the flow of steam in the
event of burst coil.

A drain valve at the outlet from the coil. A feed check valve with its
float-controlled feed regulator. A water gauge glass to indicate the level
of the water.

Vapour valve on top of the evaporator through which vapour passes.

Vapour pressure gauge (compound type: which reads even below
atmospheric pressure) to indicate pressure of the vapour in the
evaporator.

Pair of spring loaded safety valves as a safety measure against excessive

pressure within the evaporator shell. Brine ejector, which is to cause
constant blow out of water from evaporator so that steady density can
be maintained.

Single stage, Submerged Tube Evaporator==

(TUBE & SHELL TYPE FRESH WATER GENERATOR)

[Single stage, Low pressure, Low temperature, Submerged Tube

evaporator]

This is designed to produce fresh water from sea water. This is a

package unit to produce water under vacuum. Heating medium is either
jacket cooling water or steam.

The Main components are:

 Mild steel shell with internal coating.

 Heat exchanger is vertical tube stack.
 Demister consists of close knit synthetic mesh.
 Condenser is shell & tube type.
 Salinometer to detect salinity of the condensate produced.
 Brine & Air ejector (Combined).
 Condensate pump(Distillate pump).
 Ejector pump.
 Vacuum gauge.
 Relief valve.
 Gauge glass for condensate level.
 Feed water flow controller (Orifice plate).

Principle of operation---

To evaporate the sea water, it uses only the heat from the jacket cooling
water of the main engine. But when the vessel is at port fresh water can
be produced by heat from steam. Fresh water generator may be put to
use in port only in case of emergency, and the water produced should be
used only for wash water purpose and should not be used for drinking
purpose. This type can produce fresh water economically without any
additional heat source, since the cooling water passes through the heat
exchanger to transmit heat for evaporating sea water.
Vacuum is created with in the shell by air and brine ejector. For this
purpose ejector pump is operated which automatically ensures correct
conditions. When the generator is running, the inner parts will be
vacuum, so the boiling point of the sea water will be dropped. Boiling
point of the feed is lowered by lowering the pressure inside the chamber.

Feed water is supplied through flow controller. This feed enters the
evaporator at the lower chamber. Feed water passes through the tubes
of the heat exchanger where by the temperature of the feed is raised.
Jacket cooling water or steam passes outside the tubes of heat
exchanger. Vapour produced rises in the shell and passes up through the
demister (separator), in which the sea water drops are separated to the
brine and discharged by means of a water ejector.

The saturated vapour rises to the sea water cooled condenser, and on
the outside of the tubes it will condense into fresh water which is
collected in a shell and flows down from where the condensate(distillate
) pump take suction. The salinity of the fresh water produced is
automatically controlled by the salinometer. If the salinity of the water
produced exceeds the limitation, solenoid valve will operate to prevent
the inflow of the water with high salinity. Hence the salinity of the
produced water is less than 10 ppm, which is very pure, and the
produced water is soft water which can be used in many purposes.

The jacket cooling water, which may reach a temperature between 60

and 90 Deg C, is passes outside the tubes of the heat exchanger. During
this passage the temperature will drop between 4 and 13 deg C
depending on the amount of jacket cooling water used.

The temperature of the cooling water led through the condenser tubes
will rise between 6 and 16 Deg C depending on the flow chosen.

Warning---

Evaporator should not be operated with in 20km of coastline. Pollution of

the coastal water from sewage discharge from the coastal cities, disposal
of chemical waste from industry, drainage of fertilizer from agricultural
land around the cities and also harmful bacteria found in the coastal
water makes the water produced unsuitable for consumption.
PLATE TYPE FRESH WATER GENERATOR====

Main Components

This consists of a fabricated steel shell internally coated with rubber.

Within the shell are the following

a) Aluminium bronze tube or plate type heater (evaporator)

b) Titanium plate type condenser
c) Knitted Monel wire demister

The many advantage of evaporation at sub-atmospheric pressures

namely, the improved heat transfer between the heating steam and the
salt feed water, the greatly reduced formation of a much softer scale.

This type of generator utilizes the heat from diesel engine coolant or
steam from boiler to evaporate sea water. Generally water is boiled at
100 Deg C. But in fresh water generator water is boiled at around 60 ¬
70 Deg C by heating sea water under vacuum condition. These units
incorporate an evaporating section beneath a condensing or distilling
section in a common vessel of appropriate shape. Air ejector is used to
remove all the air inside the casing and maintains vacuum. A control
valve is used to regulate the flow of sea water into the generator. The
evaporation process occurs under high pressure to lower the boiling
point under 48 Deg C. Steam from the evaporation can be used as a
heat source instead of hot coolant. It is based on two titanium plate heat
exchangers acting as an evaporator and condenser. As stated earlier
evaporation chamber maintains the vacuum condition by an ejector. Part
of sea water from the evaporation chamber is used as a feed water for
the evaporator.
The feed water evaporates when entering the evaporating chamber due
to vacuum condition. Water particles and droplets are partly removed
from vapour by the built-in demister and the deflector mounted on top
evaporator. Separated droplets are brine, extracted at by an ejector
pump. The desalted vapour passing through the demister is condensed
by the plate condenser with incoming cold sea water. The pure distilled
water is taken out by discharge pump. A salinometer is used to check
the salinity in the fresh water generated. Detection of salinity in the
water will operate a 3way valve on the discharge of the distillate pump
and the water is bypassed into the evaporator again.

TWO STAGE FLASH EVAPORATOR===

A liquid which is already having sensible amount of heat when

introduced in a pressurized chamber, immediately gets converted to
steam, i.e. in a flash, without the boiling process. Thus the phenomena
can be used to acquire higher level of efficiency by controlling the exact
pressure and temperature of the water, which will lead to higher energy
efficiency.

Principle of operation—

The sea water supply pump supplies water to the air ejector, which
extracts air and non condensable gases and maintains the necessary
vacuum. The supply pump also supplies water firstly to the 2nd stage
condenser and then to the 1st stage condenser where its temperature is
increased by passing through the condensers.

The sea water then passes to an external heat exchanger where its
temperature is raised further to 80 Deg C. from the external heat
exchanger the sea water feed is fed through an orifice into the first stage
and then to the second stage chamber. The vapour flashed off in the
second stage gets condensed by the condenser.

The excess brine is discharged overboard using a brine ejector.

The distillate that is produced in the 1st stage cascades into 2nd stage
where it mixes with distillate produced in the second stage, and it is then
pumped by the distillate pump into the storage tanks.

In cold sea water conditions, a quantity of brine is re-circulated via a

thermostatically controlled valve back to the feed inlet to ensure that the
feed inlet temperature is maintained at the correct operating
temperature.

WARNING==

Due to the low temperature of operation in low pressure fresh water

generators the made fresh water may be harmful to drink. Sterilisation
temperature is about 80 Deg C, however sodium hypochlorite (one part
per million) may be used to chlorinate and hence sterilise the water.
Other methods are electrolysis or use of ultra –violet light may be used
but if the vessel is within certain coastal limits the sea water may
contain harmful effluents from Industrial zones and none of the
sterilisation method will give protection.

SALT WATER LEAKS AND DETECTION

It is imperative that any inadvertent introduction of salt water to the

boiler feed system, from tube or tube plate leakage in heat exchangers,
mal-operation of the distillation plant or any other reason, is detected
and rectified as soon as possible. Samples will be drawn from the boilers
and from the boiler feed at regular intervals (at least once a day) and
tested with a hydrometer for any change in density which would indicate
a change in dissolved solids and by chemical titration to show the
chloride content, but the first indication of salt water ingress will be
given by an electric salinometer. This device continuously monitors the
salinity of the condensate and initiates an audible alarm if the water
condition deteriorates below a predetermined value. In some cases the
salinometer also initiates the action of a dump or diversion valve. Such
an instrument is capable of detecting 0.28 mg / litre of chlorine in water.

F.W.G PROBLEMS===

HIGH SALINITY—

 Capacity too high--- reduce feed rate

 Evaporation temperature too low--- reduce sea water cooling.
 Brine level too high---ejector nozzle clogged or ejector pump
overboard valve closed.
 Condenser tube leaking--- find and plug tube.
 Defective or dirty salinometer probe--- replace or clean probe.

LOW CAPACITY---

 Heater tubes fouled with scales—clean

 Air leaks (low vacuum)—Find leak and seal
 Defective ejector (low vacuum)--- Inspect and replace
 Low jacket cooling water temperature--- Increase temperature
 Defective distillate pump--- Check pressure and load of the motor.

SALINOMETER===

Water purity, in terms of salt content, is essential where it is to be used

as boiler feed. Pure water has a high resistance to the flow of electricity
whereas salt water has a high electrical conductivity. A measure of
conductivity, (micromhos) or in Siemens or directly in salinity units
(older instruments in grains / gall.; newer instruments in ppm or mg /
litre)and it is in this basis that electric salinometers operate. The probe
type electrode is fitted to the pipe line.

PRINCIPLE---- The salinity measuring unit is shown in fig 15.21; uses

two small cells each containing a platinum and a gunmetal electrode.
The liquid sample passes through the two cells and any current flow as a
result of conductance is measured. Since conductivity rises with
temperature, a compensating resistor is incorporated in the measuring
circuit. The insulating plunger varies with water flow in order to correct
values to 20 deg c for a convenient measuring unit, the
microsiemens/cm3 or ppm unit. A degassifier should be fitted upstream
of this unit to remove dissolved carbon dioxide which will cause errors in
measurement.

Working description---The main transformer supplies power to the

rectifier to get an output of 6 volt DC. Rectifier output is fed to the
electronic components. The output of auxiliary transformer is taken for
electrode supply.

Electrode output current is converted into voltage in the converter ‘A’

and then rectified in rectifier ‘B’ to give a DC voltage equal to the peak
value and then connected to the digital voltmeter (DVM).

A DC signal, the level of which is dependent on the setting of

potentiometer, ‘alarm/adjust’, is connected the non-inverting input of
the comparator. The output signal of the electrode is a current
proportional to the conductance of the electrode unit at constant salinity
(varying with varying temperature).

This current is converted into voltage at convertor ‘C’ and rectified in

rectifier ‘D’. This rectified signal is applied to the DVM is supply the
salinity which is displayed on the meter.

When the DC voltage on the non-inverting comparator exceeds the

reference voltage, then the external alarm is activated.

The electrode unit consists of two RHODANISED electrodes and two

temperature compensating elements.
REVERSE OSMOSIS==

OSMOSIS--- Osmosis is a natural phenomena where solutions of

different concentrations separated by a semi-permeable membrane will
flow from the solution of low concentration to the higher. In other words
it is term used to describe the natural migration of water from one side
of a semi-permeable membrane into a solution on the other side. Semi-
permeable membrane is like filter which allows only lighter molecules
through, but not the larger molecules of the dissolved substance. This
membrane is a one way barrier. This flow from the fresh water to sea
water will continue until Hydrostatic Head of sea water is sufficiently high
to arrest the process. This head is known as Osmotic pressure for this
particular concentration of sea water.

Osmotic pressure for sea water is around 28 bar

REVERSE OSMOSIS--- Reverse osmosis is a water filtration process
which makes use of semi-permeable membrane-like materials. Salt (sea)
water on one side of the membrane (fig 3.14) is pressurized by a pump
and forced against the material. Pure water passes through but the
membrane is able to prevent passage of the salts. For production of
larger amounts of pure water, the membrane area must be large and it
must be arranged in a configuration which makes it strong enough to
withstand the very high pump pressure needed.

The membranes used for reverse osmosis have a dense barrier layer in
the polymer matrix where most separation occurs. In most cases the
membrane is designed to allow only water to pass through this dense
layer while preventing the passage of solutes (such as salt ions). This
process requires that a high pressure be exerted on the high
concentration side of the membrane, usually 2-17 bar (30-250 psi) for
fresh and brackish water, and 40-70 bar (600-1000 psi) for seawater,
which has around 24 bar (350 psi) natural osmotic pressure which must
be overcome.

In reverse osmosis, in a similar setup as that in osmosis, pressure is

applied to the compartment with high concentration. In this case, there
are two forces influencing the movement of water: the pressure caused
by the difference in solute concentration between the two compartments
(the osmotic pressure) and the externally applied pressure.
The man made membrane material used for sea water purification is
produced in the form of flimsy polyamide or polysulphonate sheets,
which without backing would not be strong enough. This very large area
is properly reinforced by making up spirally wound cartridges (fig 3.15b).
The core of the cartridge is a porous tube to which are attached the open
edges of a large number of envelops each made of two sheets of the
membrane material. The envelopes, sealed together on three sides,
contain a sheet of porous substance which acts as the path to the central
porous tube for water which is squeezed through the membranes. The
envelops are separated by coarse gauze sheets. The finished cartridge is
produced by rotating the actual central tube, so that, the envelops and
separators are wrapped around it in a spiral, to form a cylindrical shape.
One envelope contains two sheets of membrane with a porous sheet.
Several cartridges are housed in tubes in of stainless steel. Output the
unit depends on number of cartridges tubes in parallel. Quality is
improved by installing sets of tubes in series.
One problem of with any filtration system is that deposit accumulates
and gradually blocks the filter. Design of the cartridges is therefore such
that sea water feed passes through the spiral windings and over the
membrane sheets with a washing action that assists in keeping the
surfaces clear of deposit. A dosing chemical, sodium
hexametaphosphate, is also added to assist the action.

The pump delivery pressure for a reverse osmosis system of 60 bar (900
lb/sq. in) calls for a robust reciprocating or gear pump. The system must
be protected by a relief arrangement,
Reverse Osmosis Plant lay out ===

PRE-TREATMENT AND POST-TREATMENT===

To minimise possible damage to the membrane. The pre-treatment

consists of a duplicated filter unit. Sterilisation by chlorine, followed a
dechlorinator, or use of U.V. light. Then continuous chemical dosing to
deal with organic materials, gases, etc. The chlorine is reduced by the
compressed carbon filter while solids are removed by the other filters.

The pre-treated feed is pressurised by a pump to as high as 1000bar for

delivery to the membranes. After the membranes the water is relatively
salt free, but if the water is needed for high pressure boiler use it will
require further de-ionisation treatment. This type of plant has been
produced for ship-board use as some modern propulsion machinery has
limited amounts of water heat that can be used to produce fresh water
by vapourisation. The plant has the advantage that it can be used when
the machinery is shut down.
FILTER--- 10 microns filter inlet side to reduce suspended solids.

CHEMICAL Treatment--- Dosing chemical used is sodium hexameta

phosphate. This is added in the feed for washing through of salt deposits
on the membrane. Heating of feed water to 25 Deg C to improve output.
Sea water to be sterilized to remove bacteria. Bacteria would become
resident of filter and membranes.

POST TREATMENT---

For removal of bacteria sterilize water by chlorination.

Permeate normally tastes very flat. To improve taste, dose permeate

with soda ash. This also reduces the corrosive nature of the water
produced. Salinity is checked by conductivity meter. Dump the water
overboard, if the water exceeds the set value.

TREATMENT OF WATER FROM SHORE SOURCE / FRESH WATER

TREATMENT===

There is a risk that water supplied from ashore may contain harmful
organisms which can multiply and infect drinking or washing water
storage tanks. All water from ashore, whether for drinking or washing
purposes, is to be sterilized. When chlorine is used, the dose must be
such as to give a concentration of 0.2ppm. The department of transport
recommends in M S notice (merchant shipping notice) number M1214
that because of the risk from legionella bacteria entering the respiratory
system by way of fine mist from a shower spray, all water including that
for washing only, should be treated by sterilization.

The transfer hose for fresh water is to be marked and kept exclusively
for that purpose. The ends must be capped after use and the hose must
be stored clear of the deck to reduce the risk of contamination.

FRESH WATER TREATMENT---Sea water contains biological life—bacteria.

Coastal sea water contains more microbial bacteria. Water is produced at
low boiling point. Hence water may not be sterile. Low evaporation
temperature is sufficient to sterile the water. Harmful organisms will
pass to fresh water storage tanks. Fresh water tanks get infested with
colonies of bacteria. Water from fresh water generator contains no
minerals. Water is normally acidic due to CO2 absorption from calcium
bicarbonate salts. If the ship’s sea water design incorporate addition of
inhibitors to prevent fouling of corrosion, these chemicals should not find
their way to the feed system. Chromates should not be used for jacket
cooling water system treatment. Chromates are harmful chemicals for
human beings.

Fresh water treatment methods:--

 Ultra violet—To reduce and kill bacteria.

 Chlorination – To kill bacteria
 Silver ion treatment—To kill bacteria.

SILVER ION TREATMENT / ELECTRO-KATADYN METHOD OF

STERILIZATION==

This process accepted as an alternative to chlorination, involves the use

of a driven silver anode to inject silver ions (Ag+) into the system. Silver
anode injects silver ions into the water. Silver is toxic to various risk
organisms. Unlike the gas chlorine, Silver ions remains suspended in the
water, silver ions in the water kills the micro-organisms.

The sterilizer is placed close to the production equipment with the

conditioning unit being installed after the sterilizer and before the
storage tank.
Amount of ions released depends on the current setting. If a large
volume has to be treated, only part is bypassed through and a high
current setting is used to inject a large amount of silver. The bypassed
water is then added to the rest in the pipeline. With low water flow, all of
the water is delivered through the device and the current setting is such
as to give a concentration of 0.1ppm of silver. The silver content of
water in the domestic system, should be 0.08 ppm maximum.

TREATMENT WITH CHLORINE STERILIZATION==

Initial treatment involves passing the distillate through a neutralite unit,

containing magnesium and calcium carbonate. Some absorption of
carbon dioxide from the water and the neutralizing effect of these
compounds, removes acidity. The addition of hardness salts also gives
the water a better taste. Chlorine, being a gas, is injected for sterilizing
purposes, as a constituent of sodium hypochlorite (a liquid) or as solid
granules of calcium chloride dissolved in water. The addition is set to
bring chlorine content to 0.2 ppm.

While the water resides in the domestic tank, chlorine should preserve
sterility. In the long term, it will evaporate.
The passage of water from storage tanks to the domestic system is by
way of a carbon filter which removes the chlorine taste.

DOMESTIC WATER TANKS==

Harmful organisms in drinking water storage tanks have caused major

health problems on passenger vessels and to oil platform personnel,
among others. Tanks should, at six month intervals, be pumped out and,
if necessary, the surfaces hosed to clean them. At the twelve month
inspection, cleaning and recoating may be needed. Washing with a
50ppm solution of chlorine is suggested. Super chlorinating when the
vessel is dry-docked, consists of leaving a 50 ppm chlorine solution in
the tank over four hours, followed by flushing.

Tanks surfaces are prepared by wire brushing and priming, before

application of a cement wash. Epoxy and other coatings developed for
use in fresh water tanks, are available.

ULTRA-VIOLET STERILIZER==

A means for sterilizing potable water at the point of use, is provided

many offshore installations and ships, by an ultra –violet radiation unit
which is positioned after the hydrophore tank and as close as possible to
the tap supply points. The stainless steel irradiation chamber contain
low-pressure mercury vapour tubes, housed in a quartz jacket. Tubes
are wired in series with a transformer for safety. A wiper is fitted within
the chamber to clean the jackets and lamp observation window. Units of
a similar type are used for pre-treatment disinfections in some reverse
osmosis plant.

DOMESTIC FRESHWATER SYSTEM===

Fresh water is distributed through living and working spaces for drinking,
cooking, and washing. The water is supplied from storage tanks that are
filled from the evaporators at sea, or from shore connections in port.
Pumps draw from the storage tanks and pressurize the distribution
system.
To avoid continuous pump operation, especially during periods of low
consumption, the pumps discharge to a pneumatic pressure tank,
sometimes called a hydrophore tank. (fig 23.24). This tank is partly filled
with compressed air. The air pressure in the tank controls pump
operation. As water is consumed, the air pushes tank waterinto the
system, and as the water level drops, the air expands and its pressure
drops. A pressure switch automatically starts the pump. With the pump
running, the level in the tank rises, compressing the air until the
pressure switch stops the pump.

The term portable water refers to water that is suitable for drinking.
Often there is no need to identify the portable water separately from the
wash water. However, when the fresh water is produced at temperatures
too low for sterilization, as is often the case with low pressure
evaporators, the portable water is passed through the sterilizer prior to
distribution.

Hot water is supplied from a hot water heater with a steam heating coil.
To provide hot water when steam is not available an electric immersion
heater is usually installed as well. Cold water is supplied to the hot water
heater under pressure from the portable water system. The hot water
line is a loop through which the heated water is continuously circulated
to taps at washbasins and other fixturesby a hot water circulating pump,
to ensure immediate availability of hot water at each tap without waste.

SANITARY WATER SYSTEM

The sanitary water system supplies flushing water to toilets. If sea water
toilet flushing is used, the sanitary water system may have a pneumatic
pressure tank like the domestic fresh water system, with sanitary pumps
taking suction from a sea chest. To avoid the high maintenance
associated with a sea water flush system, many ships use fresh water
flushing even though this practice increases fresh water consumption.
Starting the Fresh Water Generator
1. Before starting the fresh water generator we have to check that the
ship is not in congested water, canals and is 20 nautical miles away from
the shore. This is done because near the shore the effluents from
factories and sewage are discharged into the sea can get into the fresh
water generator.

2. Check whether engine is running on a full sea speed , the reason for
this is that at low rpm the temperature of jacket water which is around
60 degrees and not sufficient for evaporation of water.

3. Check the drain valve present at the bottom of the generator is in

close position.

4. Now open suction and discharge valves of the sea water pump which
will provide water for evaporation, cooling and to the eductor for
creating vacuum.

5. Open the sea water discharge valve from where the water is sent
back to the sea after circulating inside the fresh water generator.

6. Close the vacuum valve situated on top of the generator.

7. Now start the sea water pump and check the pressure of the pump.
The pressure is generally 3-4 bars.

8. Wait for the vacuum to build up. Vacuum should be at least 90%
which can be seen on the gauge present on the generator. Generally the
time taken for the generation of vacuum is about 10 minutes.

9. When vacuum is achieved open the valve for feed water treatment,
this is to prevent scale formation inside the plates.

10. Now open hot water (jacket water) inlet and outlet valves slowly to
about half. Always open the outlet valve first and then inlet valve. Slowly
start to increase the opening of the valves to full open.

11. Now we can see that the boiling temperature starts increasing and
the vacuum starts dropping.

12. The vacuum drop to about 85% which is an indication that

evaporation is started.

13. Open the valve from fresh water pump to drain.

14. Switch on the salinometer if it has to be started manually. Generally
it is on auto start.

15. Now start fresh water pump and taste the water coming out of the
drain.

16. When fresh water starts producing it is seen that the boiling
temperature drops again slightly and vacuum comes back to the normal
value.

17. Check the water coming out of the salinometer is not salty and also
check the reading of the salinometer. This is done to see if the
salinometer is working properly or not and to prevent the whole fresh
water from getting contaminated with salt water. The value of
salinometer is kept below 10ppm.

18. After checking the taste of the water coming out of the salinometer,
open valve for tank from the pump and close drain valve.

Stopping the Fresh water Generator

1. Close the jacket water inlet valves. Generally inlet is closed first and
then the outlet valve.

2. Close the valve for feed water treatment.

3. Stop fresh water pump and close valves.

4. Switch off the salinometer.

5. Stop sea water pump (ejector pump) after about 5 minutes.

6. Open vacuum valve.

7. Close sea water suction valve and overboard valve. This is generally
not required as they are non- return valves. However, in case of valve
leaking or damage, these valves are to be closed without fail.
Serves to maintain the pressure and keep the fresh water in the Fresh
water pressure tank . Made into a welded steel, the interior of the fresh
water pressure tank is coated with an epoxy (PE Coating, Rubber
Coating). Also performing a clean check on the inside of each tank
manhole as well as penetration of all the welded portion We also
conducted tests.
capacity: 100L ~ 5000L.

Hydrophore is one of the most important equipments on board a vessel.

It is responsible to make available drinking water in the entire
accommodation.
It basically consists of Pressure vessel which contains water and
pressurized with air. It is the AIR pressure which propels the water to
the UPPERMOST deck on the ship. Naturally this Hydrophore needs to be
CHARGED with air at regular intervals.

CUT IN Pressure ---Example --Hydrophore needs to CUT IN at say at 2.5

bar—This 2.5 bar should be a pressure which is SUFFICIENT ENOUGH to
push water upto THE HIGHEST DECK when people generally retire for
the Day and Take BATH ETC. This pressure would of course vary from
vessel to vessel depending upon the number of Decks and the number of
CREW WHO TAKE BATH .

CUT OUT PRESSURE – The pressure at which the pump should cut out.
Let us say this is 5 bar.

Now we have a look at the IMPLICATIONS of charging the hydrophore

with these two PARAMETERS .

Observe fig 1 – water level when the pressure is 2.5 bar. The volume of
Air available is V1

When the pump cuts in and pumps water into the hydrophore – Air gets
compressed till 5 bar and the pump Cuts Out.Observe that V2 amount of
water GOT PUMPED between the two operating pressures of 2.5 bar and
5 bar

Observe Fig 3 – Compare the same with figure 2 and observe Volume of
Water Pumped =V3.You can easily see that a VERY SMALL Volume of
water got pumped between the same Operating pressures of 2.5 bar and
5 Bar.
It is not very difficult to visualize that If hydrophore operates as per Fig
3, the pump will CUT IN AND CUT OUT very frequently and the MOTOR
CAN GET BURNT OUT.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY to Charge a Hydrophore

Now we have a look at the IMPLICATIONS of charging the hydrophore

with these two PARAMETERS .

It is not very difficult to visualize that If hydrophore operates as per Fig

3 ..the pump will CUT IN AND CUT OUT very frequently and the MOTOR
CAN GET BURNT OUT.

If you charge Hydrophore to 5 bar – You cannot ANTICIPATE the level
of water at 2.5 bar CUT IN pressure, once water gets consumed.So there
is a RISK of the water level dropping BELOW the outlet pipe and air will
find its way through the outlet pipe.Obviously charging to CUT OUT
pressure is a BAD WAY to operate a hydrophore.

So the Best way is the KEEP water Level comfortably ABOVE the
OUTLET PIPE and charge it to the CUT IN PRESSURE of 2.5 bar.This will
ensure maximum volume of water per cut-in cut-out cycle.
Again ,If you keep it too close to the OUT LET PIPE and there is some
AIR LEAK into the vessel through the Charging Valve –the water level
will gradually fall below the outletpipe .

What is the principle/law involved-- it is the same old P1V1 =

P2V2. Observe that V1=2V2.

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