Alfa Laval AB has released a high-pressure option for the Alfa Laval AQUA Blue freshwater generator. The option's modifications will allow AQUA Blue to handle even higher jacket water pressures than those in use now. Launched just over a year ago, the AQUA Blue freshwater generator employs a unique plate technology.

Alfa Laval's 3-in-1 AQUA plates allow evaporation, separation and condensation to occur within the same plate pack, which means only half the seawater flow and pumping energy are needed. The changes have been aimed at preventing cold corrosion in the engine cylinder liners, but they have also resulted in higher jacket water pressures. Where 4 bar was the previous standard, pressures of 5 bar or more are common now.

Alfa Laval, despite having the Alfa Laval JWP-26 freshwater generator that can operate at 5 bar, decided early on to create a high-pressure option for AQUA Blue. The greater strength of the high-pressure option, in addition to the system's already compact construction, will also increase the attraction of AQUA Blue for shipyards. The stronger configuration will simplify the design of large vessels with a deep draught, which otherwise pose challenges for the condenser section of plate-based freshwater generators.