A freshwater generator (FWG) is a vital machinery system used onboard ships.

FWG
should only be operated by an experienced and trained person,  who would carefully
study the instruction manual provided by the manufacturer to fully understand
the working of the freshwater generator, before carrying out maintenance, repair or
trying to troubleshoot the equipment.

The maintenance schedule should be followed and checked regularly to avoid any
unfortunate circumstances and ensure the smooth operation of the freshwater
generator.

Precautions to be taken while operating Fresh Water

Generators
1. While operating the freshwater distillate pump for the first time, the distillate
present should be discharged overboard the ship for a minimum of 30 minutes.

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2. Fresh Water Generators should be stopped before the ship comes close to land,
port or a river mouth. This is because the seawater in such locations may be
contaminated with bacteria which can get mixed in the distillate generated by the
machinery. There is hence a high chance that the Fresh Water Generator
malfunctions when the ship is in the dirty sea.

3. The bottom blow valve should not be opened to restore atmospheric pressure in
the evaporator. If this is done, seawater being used in the heater may be blown up
and damage the deflector plates and other parts of the Fresh Water Generator.
4. For testing leakage in the evaporator, the vacuum gauge should be removed, or
the main valve should be fully closed.

5. Before carrying out cleaning operations, the technician should carefully read and
follow instructions as stated in the manuals provided by the manufacturer.

6. During cleaning and rinsing of the Fresh Water Generator, steam should not be
used as the inside surface of the evaporator is covered with a coating material which
can get ruined under the action of steam.

7. This coating material should be handled with a lot of care and should be washed
off immediately if it comes in contact with skin.

8. To avoid leakages, the bolts securing the tube plates should not be removed or
loosened.

9. The FreshWater Generator should not be heated, and welding by an open flame
has to be avoided to protect the coating present on the inside surfaces of the Fresh
Water Generator.

10. To move the Fresh Water Generator from one place to another, the lifting holes
present on the top cover should be used with wires of sufficient weight carrying
capacity as specified in the assembly outline drawings present onboard.

11. The FreshWater Generator can be damaged if it is run with a valve or cock in
closed position installed on the steam drain outlet line. Hence these should not be
incorporated on the outlet steam drain line.