Desalination systems employing the distillation process have long since depended on basic shell and tube heat transfer technology. This basic form of heat transfer has been acceptable in the past but as the economics of systems becomes more important, and as waters for desalination become more diverse, then the total cost aspect of the project becomes essential. An alternative heat transfer technology is now becoming more dominant in the desalination market – plate heat exchangers.

The plate type desalination systems have been in operation since 1967 and some 70% of the world’s ships and off-shore installations are using plate technology due to the advantages inherent in the system design. The plate concept applied in Alfa Laval Water Technologies’ Multi-effect plate (MEP), Multi-effect thermo vapour compression (TVC) and Vacuum vapour compression (VVC) has distinct advantages over earlier technologies and offers owners and operators significant total cost savings.