Fresh-water generator (evaporator)

A fresh-water generator makes distilled water from seawater at sea, most commonly by single-stage vacuum distillation that boils seawater at about 40 to 60 C using waste heat from the engine jacket cooling water, then condenses the vapor. The vacuum lowers the boiling point so otherwise-wasted heat suffices. Output feeds technical and, after mineralization and disinfection, potable systems. Plate-type units (for example Alfa Laval AQUA) have largely replaced older tubular evaporators.