
Desalination systems for boats use a high-pressure pump to force seawater through a membrane, removing salt and other contaminants to make it safe to drink. This process is known as reverse osmosis. The water is first pre-filtered to remove large and small particles, before being pushed through the membrane at up to 1000 psi pressure. The membrane is semi-permeable, allowing only water molecules to pass through, leaving concentrated brine behind. The resulting freshwater is then stored and distributed throughout the vessel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Raw water | Run through a series of pre-filters |
| Pump | High-pressure |
| Membrane | Semi-permeable, allows only water molecules to pass |
| Post-filtration | Eliminates remaining contaminants |
| Storage | Freshwater is stored and distributed throughout the vessel |
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What You'll Learn
- Reverse osmosis: seawater is pumped into the desalination system and passes through pretreatment filtration to remove large and small particles
- High-pressure pump: forces finely filtered seawater through a membrane at up to 1000 psi pressure
- Semipermeable membrane: only water molecules can pass through, leaving concentrated brine
- Post-filtration: eliminates remaining contaminants to ensure top water quality
- Storage and distribution: freshwater is stored and distributed throughout the vessel

Reverse osmosis: seawater is pumped into the desalination system and passes through pretreatment filtration to remove large and small particles
Reverse osmosis is a process used in desalination systems to turn seawater into potable water. Seawater is pumped into the desalination system from the ocean and passes through pretreatment filtration to remove large and small particles. This filtration process is achieved through a series of pre-filters, which can include pickling reagent and activated carbon filters. The filtered seawater is then forced under pressure through special membranes. The pores in these membranes are so small that salt, bacteria, viruses, and other impurities are separated from the seawater, leaving only water molecules to pass through. This process of osmosis is reversed, cleaning the water of anything that would make it unsafe to drink or bathe in.
The high-pressure pump that forces the seawater through the membranes is a key component of the desalination system. It is often a General Pump Company triplex plunger pump, featuring a 316 stainless steel manifold, wetted parts, and solid ceramic plungers. The pump is coupled to an electric motor, which can be a 1.0Hp 120/220VAC model. To ensure the safety of the water, the pressure of the pump is set to 1000 psi, and the water is put through post-filtration to eliminate any remaining contaminants.
Overall, the reverse osmosis process in desalination systems for boats is a complex but effective way to ensure access to safe and clean drinking water during marine journeys.
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High-pressure pump: forces finely filtered seawater through a membrane at up to 1000 psi pressure
In a desalination system, seawater is pumped from the ocean and then passes through pre-treatment filtration to remove large and small particles. The filtered seawater is then forced under high pressure through a membrane. This process is known as reverse osmosis, where the osmosis that normally occurs in nature is reversed.
The high-pressure pump forces finely filtered seawater through the membrane at up to 1000 psi pressure. The membrane is semi-permeable, allowing only water molecules to pass through, leaving concentrated brine. The pores in the RO membranes are so tiny that salt, bacteria, viruses, and other impurities are separated from the seawater. They act like tiny microscopic strainers, cleaning the water of anything you wouldn’t want to drink or bathe in.
The General Pump Company triplex plunger pump is often used in desalination systems for boats. It features a 316 stainless steel manifold, wetted parts, and solid ceramic plungers. The pump is fitted with a pressure relief valve preset to 1000 PSI.
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Semipermeable membrane: only water molecules can pass through, leaving concentrated brine
Desalination boat pumps use reverse osmosis to turn seawater into drinking water. Seawater is pumped into the desalination system from the ocean, where it passes through pre-treatment filtration to remove large and small particles. The filtered seawater is then forced under pressure through special membranes. The pores in the RO membranes are so tiny that salt, bacteria, viruses, and other impurities are separated from the seawater.
The membranes are semipermeable, meaning only water molecules can pass through, leaving concentrated brine. This process is similar to osmosis, which occurs in nature, but reversed. The membranes act like tiny microscopic strainers, cleaning the water of anything you wouldn't want to drink or bathe in.
The high-pressure pump forces finely filtered seawater through the membrane at up to 1000 psi pressure. The watermakers are fitted with a pressure relief valve preset to 1000 PSI. The membranes are made from a thin-film composite that provides high salt rejection.
The result is a continuous desalinated seawater supply that is safe to drink.
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Post-filtration: eliminates remaining contaminants to ensure top water quality
The desalination system for boats features a high-pressure pump that forces finely filtered seawater through a membrane at up to 1000 psi pressure. This is known as reverse osmosis, where the osmosis process that normally occurs in nature is reversed. The pores in the RO membranes are so tiny that salt, bacteria, viruses, and other impurities are separated from the seawater.
However, even after this process, some contaminants may remain. This is where post-filtration comes in. Post-filtration is a critical step in the desalination process as it eliminates any remaining contaminants to ensure top water quality. It acts as a final polishing step to remove any impurities that may have passed through the membrane.
The specific post-filtration methods can vary depending on the desalination system and the quality of the source water. Some common post-filtration techniques include the use of activated carbon filters, which absorb organic compounds and remove any remaining odours or tastes from the water. Other techniques may involve the use of ultraviolet (UV) light to disinfect the water and ensure that any remaining bacteria or viruses are inactivated.
By employing post-filtration, desalination boats can guarantee that the water produced is of the highest quality and safe for drinking, bathing, and other onboard uses. This step ensures that the water meets the standards set by organisations like the World Health Organization, which has established a maximum drinking water contaminant level of 500 ppm.
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Storage and distribution: freshwater is stored and distributed throughout the vessel
Once the seawater has been desalinated, the freshwater is stored and distributed throughout the vessel. The process of reverse osmosis ensures access to safe and clean drinking water during marine journeys. The World Health Organization sets a maximum drinking water contaminant level of 500 ppm.
The watermakers are fitted with a pressure relief valve preset to 1000 PSI. The RO Pressure Vessel Assembly is made of fiberglass/epoxy pressure vessels. The number of pressure vessels depends on the model chosen. The freshwater is stored in these pressure vessels and distributed throughout the boat.
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Frequently asked questions
A desalination boat pump works by forcing seawater through a series of pre-filters and then a high-pressure pump, which moves the water through one or more membrane housings. The pores in the membranes are so tiny that salt, bacteria, viruses, and other impurities are separated from the seawater.
Reverse osmosis is the process by which the osmosis that normally occurs in nature is reversed. In other words, it is the process of removing salt from water.
A water maker is a device used to obtain drinking water from seawater. It produces a continuous desalinated seawater supply that is safe to drink.
The General Pump Company triplex plunger pump is a type of desalination system for boats. It features a 316 stainless steel manifold, wetted parts, and solid ceramic plungers. It also has a nickel-plated crankcase for anti-corrosion.









































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