Condensate cooled freshwater generator

Freshwater generators are essential plant onboard ships to produce freshwater from seawater for domestic and operational use. Main operation concept of this plant is by energy recovery cycle that utilizes waste heat from main engine cooling system. Heat from main engine used to evaporate seawater under vacuum condition, the generated vapour is then condensed to become fresh water (distilled water). This paper presents the study and development of a condensate cooled freshwater generator system for marine application. The significant advantage of using condensate as the cooling medium improves heat transfer (thermal efficiency), and enhancing condenser performance as the amount of scale formation are reduced. A good efficient plant ameliorates a ships energy management, minimize fuel consumption, consequently reducing operational costs as the dependency on shore-based water supplies are minimized. Hence a proper running system is essential in maintaining the optimum running condition and parameters. This project focuses working principle, system components, operational process, maintenance requirements, and advantages of using condensate cooling in freshwater generators. The methodology involved literature review, system analysis, component study, and performance evaluation of the freshwater generation process. The fundamental necessity of auto microcontroller is to maintain the operational stability, monitor essential operational parameters and ensure an efficient running system. Overall, the system is economical, energy efficient, and suitable for continuous marine operations due to its effective utilization of waste heat and improved condensation performance.