The four Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) evaporators supplied by Hamworthy Serck Como are designated MSF 825/8 units as each has eight evaporator stages and is rated at 825 tonnes/day of distillate. Sistership Allure of the Seas will feature the same fresh water makers.
Four Hamworthy fresh water generators on the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas can produce a total of 3,300 tonnes a day. Hamworthy Serck Como’s cruise ship desalination plant comprises one or more MSF evaporators. Steam, engine jacket water or a combination of these can be used for heating. “The thermal efficiency of this 8-stage MSF evaporator rated at less than 150 kWh per tonne of distillate is excellent in comparison to the more usual 190 kWh per tonne,” says Udo Attermeyer, Hamworthy Serck Como’s sales director. “The flash principle is also the most reliable evaporation principle in terms of malfunction or mal-operation, and has the lowest risk of scaling.”
Capacities of tailor-made MSF evaporators range from 100 tonnes/day to 1,000 tonnes/day – or even higher if the engine room arrangement allows, with steady production at sea water temperatures between 2°C and 32°C. “The MSF evaporators’ long maintenance intervals as well as their mature control philosophy are additional essential factors and have a direct impact on economical operation,” Mr. Attermeyer says, adding that: “The risks and problems found in other multi-effect evaporators do not arise with flash evaporators”.
Hamworthy acquired Serck Como GmbH in 2006 to expand its fluid handling portfolio. Since then it has secured 22 orders for advanced water treatment and/or desalination systems for cruise ships at Meyer Werft, Fincantieri, STX France, STX Finland and Mariotti. The ships are for AIDA Cruises, Costa, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, RCI/Celebrity Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Silversea Cruises, P&O and Seabourne. Equipment delivery is scheduled up until early 2011.
