Alfa Laval enters desalination plants arena

Swedish multinational, Alfa Laval India, has entered the business of distillation and desalination plants, based on a new process that uses plate heat exchangers called thermal desalination or Press Plate using Falling Film (PPFF) technology.

The new system involves passing a thin film of water over multiple plate surfaces, and distillation through condensation of the evaporating water on the other side of the plate. According to Mr. Satish Tandon, managing director of the company, the new technology gives advantages of cost, ease of operations and quick scalability. Expansion will simply involve adding more plates.

Besides, the new system also scores over conventional desalination processes by eliminating problems such as corrosion and scaling. The process can be used for both seawater as well as brackish ground water.

These desalination plants are expected to come up in the coastal region. The company has apparently already sold one plant to Adani Exports.