< Back to Top

Relative to other processes, not much. As the name "waste heat" implies, the driving force for distillation is heat that otherwise would have no value. Examples are diesel engine jacketwater, exhaust gas or bleed steam. The absence of moving parts, membranes, etc. helps minimize maintenance costs.

< Back to Top

Waste heat typically is the first choice if viable. However, the amount of heat available may not be enough to generate the water required. In addition, waste heat loads often fluctuate and the demand for water is not coincident with these fluctuations.

< Back to Top

Installation costs for waste heat evaporators are typically more and, in some cases, may be prohibitive. Unlike electrically driven RO & VC watermakers that can be placed anywhere onboard a ship or rig, waste heat units must be plugged into the available heat load.

< Back to Top

Most waste heat evaporators operate on diesel engine jacket water supplies that provide heating at approximately 185° F. However, it is not uncommon to utilize exhaust gases or other medium at substantially higher temperatures. In this case, we fit intermediate heat exchanger loops and expansion tanks to the system to utilize the higher temperature waste heat.

< Back to Top

It depends upon your application. The titanium plate type evaporators can be low cost, light weight and easier to access. Their narrow passages, however, can become problematic in dirty feed waters. An alternative approach that is good for troublesome feed waters is the tube type evaporator.