OPTIMALISASI PROSES EVAPORASI TERHADAP EVAPORATOR GUNA MEMPERTAHANKAN JUMLAH PRODUKSI AIR TAWAR PADA FRESH WATER GENERATOR DI MV.PAN FLOWER

Abstract

The decline in freshwater production in the Fresh Water Generator (FWG) on board MV. Pan Flower has become an issue requiring special attention, as its production capacity decreased from the normal rate of 20 tons per day to only 13–14 tons per day. This problem was caused by disruptions in the evaporation process due to the formation of scaling and fouling on the evaporator, a decrease in the vacuum level resulting from reduced ejector pump performance, and the suboptimal implementation of maintenance procedures. This study aimed to analyze the factors contributing to the decline in freshwater production and to identify appropriate optimization measures for the evaporation process in order to maintain the performance of the FWG. The research employed a case study method using a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and documentation during the sea practice period from August 2024 to August 2025, and were subsequently analyzed using a fishbone diagram to systematically identify the root causes of the problem. The findings revealed that scaling and fouling on the evaporator, inadequate vacuum conditions caused by less-than-optimal ejector pump performance, as well as operational and maintenance factors, were the primary causes of the reduced freshwater production. The recommended corrective actions include carrying out regular evaporator cleaning and descaling procedures, maintaining stable heating temperatures and vacuum conditions, enhancing operational supervision, and implementing preventive maintenance in accordance with the Planned Maintenance System (PMS). The implementation of these measures is expected to optimize the performance of the Fresh Water Generator, thereby ensuring a sustainable supply of freshwater throughout the voyage.