Offshore MVC Distillation

Aqua-Chem’s vapor compression distillation watermakers provide reliable, proven solutions for offshore desalination of seawater, killing bacteria and removing suspended solids, dissolved minerals and organic contaminants. These units are designed to operate in the challenging conditions encountered in offshore operations, and are backed by decades of successful operating history. Our vapor compression distillation watermakers consistently produce purified water with less than 5 ppm of total dissolved solids.

Design Features

Evaporator – The evaporator features a horizontal design using the patented Spray-Film® process. In use for over 40 years now, this technology continues to be the design of choice in conditions that demand maximum reliability, lowest operating costs and maximum production.

Heat Source – The vapor compression process uses its own compressed steam as its primary heat source, resulting in vastly improved efficiency.

Materials of Construction – We use corrosion-resistant titanium and copper-nickel tubes, titanium compressor impellers and heat exchangers, plus copper-nickel evaporator shells.

Automation – Watermakers are designed to operate automatically with a pushbutton start. A programmable logic controller (PLC) and human machine interface (HMI) are standard.

Insulation – The evaporator is insulated with fiberglass and covered with aluminum cladding.

Benefits

• From the North Sea to Southeast Asia, you can count on crystal-clear water at the rated capacity, confident that performance, capacity and water quality are not affected by feedwater characteristics.
• Custom engineering is available to meet international electrical codes, rig specifications and unique operating conditions.
• Patented Spray-Film evaporator design provides improved wetting of the tube bundle which minimizes scaling. This means less downtime for cleaning and less chemical use.
• Spray-Film design also includes built-in, on-line cleaning for removing any scale, reducing maintenance costs and increasing operating life.
• The most reliable steam compressor design incorporates a unique journal bearing with thin film technology for long-lasting performance, which is superior to ball bearings.
• Simple layout improves safety and ease of maintenance to extend operating life. All major components are accessible from floor level, with the compressor and pumps located at the edge of the skid for easy serviceability.
• Easy, low-cost installation, with only five piping connections and one electrical connection.
• Reliable and durable materials with proven performance after more than four decades of offshore use by Aqua-Chem.
• Factory tested to ensure trouble-free startup.
• Efficiency is 0.05-0.07 kw per gallon of purified water produced.

Operating Characteristics

Notes:

1. Above power and steam requirements at a feedwater temperature of 60° F / 16° C.
2. Steam inlet pressure 15 psig or 1 barg. For units with steam make-up heat.
3. Units available with the following power sources or per your requirements
   • 460/3/60
   • 230/3/60
   • 208/3/60
   • 415/3/50
   • 380/3/50
   • 575/3/60
4. Standard units do not require both electric heaters and steam supply. Only one heat source is necessary.
5. All flow rates are designed for standard seawater at 35,2000ppm - Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Should the TDS be in excess on this standard, increase the feedwater rate by 5% per 1000ppm.
6. Specifications subject to change without notice