What should be taken into account before choosing a water treatment plant?

WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE CHOOSING A WATER TREATMENT PLANT? 

  • Water needs: It is better to buy a water purifier that provides more liters and works for fewer hours a day (ideally between 4-6 hours) than a small one that we always have running.
  • If we want an analogue or electronic water treatment system: if we decide on an analogue system we should know that it is a more economical system because it does not have electronics, automatic washing must be carried out with a manual valve and it must be determined whether the water produced by the system is salty or fresh. A manual test must be carried out to check the salinity and divert the water to a fresh water tank or divert the rejected water to the sea. You must carry out the cleaning with fresh water and divert non-saline fresh water to the fresh water tank or divert it to the sea with a pair of manual valves.
  • If we want a compact or modular watermaker: the space and the distribution of other elements in the engine room or compartments will determine our choice. If we do not have much space, it is always better to choose a modular one, especially on sailboats, since the space is smaller. With the modular one we can place filters, membranes and motors in spaces that are free in the engine room. If we have enough space, it is always easier to install a compact watermaker. A modular watermaker produces the same amount of water as a compact one and the price of both models is the same.
  • The power supply we have on board (AC or DC).
  • Energy consumption: a Spectra water purifier with a Clark recovery pump consumes from 4 watts/litre. On average, four photovoltaic panels can power your water purifier (220 watts).
  • It is recommended that the membrane containers be made of fibre to prevent oxidation and possible damage to the membranes (even if the containers are treated metal, seawater salt is highly corrosive). The containers must withstand a pressure of up to 100 bars.
  • The feed pump must be installed below the waterline to prevent it from working in a vacuum. In cases where this is not possible (for reasons of space, for example), this pump must be self-priming. It is important that the interior of the pump is made of materials that are anticorrosive to sea water. Internal parts made of brass, stainless steel or elastomer are usually used to withstand corrosion from sea water.
  • It is highly recommended that the high pressure pump be of the highest quality, such as Cat or General Pump pumps.