Evaporators and Distillers

Explain why “fresh water" may have to be produced from seawater.

Fresh water is generally produced on board using the evaporation method. There are two things that are
available in plenty on ship to produce fresh water –Seawater and heat. Thus fresh water is produced by
evaporating sea water using heat from any of the heat source. The evaporated sea water is then again
cooled by the sea water and the cycle repeats.

Generally the heat source available is taken from the main engine jacket water, which is used for cooling
the main engine components such as cylinder head, liner etc. The temperature available from this jacket
water is about 70 deg. centigrade. But at this temperature the evaporation of water is not possible as
we all know that the evaporation of water takes place at 100 deg centigrade under atmospheric
pressure.

Lists the purpose for which the water might be used.

- Boiler
- Cooling systems
- Clean drinking water
- Use for washing
- Ballast water
- Other minor usage

Explains the effect that distillation has on the dissolved solids in seawater.

Seawater Distillation

Desalination (also known as desalinization or desalting) is the process of removing salt from water. A
desalination device essentially separates seawater (saline water) into 2 streams: one with low
concentration of dissolved salts (the fresh water stream) and the other containing the remaining
dissolved salts (the concentrated or brine stream).

Seawater is pure water plus dissolved solids and gases. A 1-kg sample of saltwater typically contains 35-g
of dissolved compounds, including inorganic salts, organic compounds from living organisms, and
dissolved gasses. The solid substances are known as 'salts' and their total amount in the water is
referred to by a term known as salinity (expressed as parts per thousand). Oceanic salinities generally
range from 34 to 37 parts per thousand; or 34,000 - 37,000 ppm.
[ For comparison, the salt content of fresh water is less than 1,000 ppm ].

States that evaporators and distillers are pressure vessels and as such must conform to approved
standards for materials, fittings and construction.

The ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) is an American Society of Mechanical
Engineers(ASME) standard that regulates the design and construction of boilers and pressure
vessels. The document is written and maintained by volunteers chosen for their technical expertise.
 The American Society of Mechanical Engineers works as an Accreditation Body and entitles
independent third parties such as verification, testing and certification agencies to inspect and ensure
compliance to the BPVC.[3]

The section of the ASME BPVC consists of 4 parts.

Part A - Ferrous Material Specifications

This Part is a supplementary book referenced by other sections of the Code. It provides material
specifications for ferrous materials which are suitable for use in the construction of pressure vessels.[13]

The specifications contained in this Part specify the mechanical properties, heat treatment, heat and
product chemical composition and analysis, test specimens, and methodologies of testing. The
designation of the specifications start with 'SA' and a number which is taken from the ASTM 'A'
specifications.[13]

Part B - Nonferrous Material Specifications

This Part is a supplementary book referenced by other sections of the Code. It provides material
specifications for nonferrous materials which are suitable for use in the construction of pressure
vessels.[13]

The specifications contained in this Part specify the mechanical properties, heat treatment, heat and
product chemical composition and analysis, test specimens, and methodologies of testing. The
designation of the specifications start with 'SB' and a number which is taken from the ASTM 'B'
specifications.[13]

Part C - Specifications for Welding Rods, Electrodes, and Filler Metals

This Part is a supplementary book referenced by other sections of the Code. It provides mechanical
properties, heat treatment, heat and product chemical composition and analysis, test specimens, and
methodologies of testing for welding rods, filler metals and electrodes used in the construction of
pressure vessels.[13]

The specifications contained in this Part are designated with 'SFA' and a number which is taken from
the American Welding Society (AWS) specifications.[13]

Part D - Properties (Customary/Metric)

This Specification provides the chemical composition requirements for electrodes and rods for
welding cast iron and will benefit welding professionals. Copper-base rods used for braze
welding of cast iron are not included. Major topics include general requirements, testing,
packaging, and application guidelines. This Specification prescribes requirements for the
classification of: Rods for oxyfuel gas welding, Electrodes for gas metal arc welding, Electrodes
for flux cored arc welding, and Electrodes for shielded metal arc welding. These filler metals are
suitable for welding gray cast iron, malleable cast iron, nodular cast iron, compacted graphite
cast iron, and certain alloy cast irons.
Sources:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASME_Boiler_and_Pressure_Vessel_Code
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.marineinsight.com/guidelines/converting-seawater-to-
freshwater-on-a-ship-fresh-water-generator-explained/

http://www.separationprocesses.com/Distillation/DT_Chp07.htm

https://app.knovel.com/web/toc.v/cid:kpSWERCIA3/viewerType:toc/

MATA Reports

There are two main ways to desalinate seawater : the membrane treatment (reverse
osmosis) and heat treatments (flash distillation, vapour compression). These processes have
been developed on a large scale by major industrial companies, primarily French, Spanish,
American, Japanese and Korean. But new techniques or new types of facilities of a pilot
nature are starting to appear with small research companies or organisations especially for
small fixed or mobile desalination units in remote sites.

Membrane water treatment is a process that removes unwanted constituents from

water. A membrane is a barrier that allows certain substances to pass through while
blocking others. Water treatment facilities use various types of membranes and processes to
clean surface water, groundwater, and wastewater to produce water for industry and for
drinking.

Thermal Desalination Solutions for Seawater Refineries, power plants and other
industries need high purity water. The thermal desalination process uses energy to
evaporate water and subsequently condense it again. When there is waste heat or sufficient
electricity available, as is often the case with refineries and power plants, thermal
desalination is an efficient and viable solution.

Flash distillation (sometimes called "equilibrium distillation") is a single stage

separation technique. A liquid mixture feed is pumped through a heater to raise the
temperature and enthalpy of the mixture. It then flows through a valve and the pressure is
reduced, causing the liquid to partially vaporize. Once the mixture enters a big enough
volume (the "flash drum"), the liquid and vapor separate. Because the vapor and liquid are
in such close contact up until the "flash" occurs, the product liquid and vapor phases
approach equilibrium.

Simple flash separations are very common in industry, particularly petroleum

refining. Even when some other method of separation is to be used, it is not uncommon to
use a "pre-flash" to reduce the load on the separation itself.

An opening, in a vessel, through which the liquid flows out is known as orifice. This
hole or opening is called an orifice, so long as the level of the liquid on the upstream side is
above the top of the orifice. The typical purpose of an orifice is the measurement of
discharge. An orifice may be provided in the vertical side of a vessel or in the base. But the
former one is more common.

An orifice plate steam trap is a relatively simple condensate removal device. Its
design includes a thin metal plate with a small-diameter hole through the center. The image
below shows a typical orifice plate steam trap installation.

he plate keeps live steam from flowing, and the hole or orifice allows either
condensate or a small amount of live steam to escape. When orifice plate steam traps are
properly sized for the flow conditions, they can function properly, but they are not suitable
for all applications. Steam will escape when no condensate is present, and condensate
backups can occur at start up and during periods of high demand. Orifice plate steam traps
are best suited for situations where the pressure difference across the plate and the
condensate load remain constant.

ADVANTAGES

Can be used for high-pressure steam applications Performance can be computed if

the condensate load and inlet and outlet pressures are known Continuous discharge No
moving parts Easy to maintain Cannot fail open, but erosion can gradually cause an increase
in the orifice diameter Relatively low initial cost Resistant to damage by water hammer and
thermal shock Pressure drop across the orifice reduces potential for overpressure of the
downstream condensate system Resistant to freeze damage Can be mounted in several
positions

DISADVANTAGES

Usual failure mode is closed due to plugging or blockage by dirt or debris Screen or
strainer may be required to reduce possibility of plugging or blockage Live steam losses are
usually small when the orifice is properly sized, but wear and erosion can enlarge the orifice
and cause excessive loss of live steam Orifice opening cannot be adjusted to accommodate
varying condensate loads Automatic or manual drain valve may be required to
accommodate large condensate loads that occur during start up or periods of high demand
Air can only be discharged very slowly during start up Engineering is required to select the
appropriate size orifice for a particular application (ineffective if oversized or undersized)
Consequences of live steam in the return system must be evaluated Difficult to field check
because of continuous discharge Does not function effectively when back pressure is
excessively high If the load is likely to vary by a factor of 2 or 3, the orifice plate steam trap
may not be cost-effective because water logging or flooding is possible or excessive steam
may escape.
oporto report

Ships procedure for fresh water production & use low

pressure evaporator

Service piping and pumping arrangement

Pumps and substantial piping systems are provided in ships to

supply the essential services of hot and cold fresh water for
personal use, sanitary and salt water for fire fighting purposes.

Modern cargo ships are provided with a large low-pressure distilling

plant for producing fresh water during the voyage, as the capacities
required would otherwise need considerable tank space. This space
is better utilized to carry oil fuel, improving the ship’s range.

Independent tanks supplying the fresh water required for drinking

and culinary purposes, and fresh washing water, etc., may be taken
from the double bottom tanks, the pumps for each supply being
independent also. Hot fresh water is supplied initially from the cold
fresh water system, through a non-return valve into a storage type
hot water heater fitted with heater coils, and then the heated water
is pumped to the outlet.

A considerable amount of fresh water is consumed in a ship. The

crew uses on average about 70 litre/person/day and in a passenger
ship, consumption can be as high as 225 litre/person/day. Water
used in the machinery spaces as make up for cooling system losses
may be fresh or distilled but distilled water is essential for steam
plant where there is a water tube boiler. Steamship consumption for
the propulsion plant and hotel services can be as high as 50
tonnes/day.
Multiple effect Evaporator Working Principle

Multiple effect evaporator is the combination of several sets single effect evaporator. The
characteristic is to heat the next effect evaporator by used steam produced from the front effect, so
as to reduce energy consumption. Usually there is double effect evaporator, three effect evaporator
or even more effect evaporation system. More effects with more control points; the driving force of
temperature difference at different effect is smaller. The system should be selected according to the
job condition.
The multiple effect evaporator can be divided into a common multiple effect evaporation system and
a forced circulation multiple effect evaporator. Forced circulation multiple effect evaporator
(FCMEE). FCMEE system is designed with several sets external circulation pump based on several
sets evaporator; Increasing the flow velocity of the material in the evaporating tube, improving the
heat transfer effect and increasing the intensity of evaporation.
REFERENCES:
https://beta.spiraxsarco.com/learn-about-steam/steam-engineering-principles-and-heat-transfer/heat-
transfer

http://generalcargoship.com/water-production-low-pressure-evaporator.html

https://www.marineinsight.com/guidelines/general-overview-of-central-cooling-system-on-ships/

http://www.cool-info.co.uk/refrigeration_equipment/evaporators/evaporators.html

http://generalcargoship.com/water-production-low-pressure-evaporator.html