Desalination system for vessels

Abstract

The desalination system (1) for vessels comprises: at least one reverse osmosis desalinator (2) for vessels, the desalinator (2) being provided with one basic body (3) comprising: one filtering chamber (4) of seawater; one filtering membrane (5) arranged within the filtering chamber (4), dividing it into a first section (6), adapted to receive the seawater to be desalinated, and a second section (7), adapted to receive the water coming from the first section (6) through the filtering membrane (5); pumping means (8) connected in a fluid-operated manner to the first section (6) and configured to force the salt water to flow through the filtering membrane (5); - valve means (10) provided with: - one hollow body (11) defining one conduit (12) connecting the first section (6) to a discharge opening (13); - one plugging body (14) arranged within the hollow body (11) to define with the latter a transit section (15) of the water flowing along the conduit (12), the plugging body (14) being movable within the conduit (12) so as to vary the width of the transit section (15); wherein the valve means (10) comprise automatic movement means (36) of the plugging body (14) according to the water pressure within the first section (6).

Description

[0001] DESALINATION SYSTEM FOR VESSELS

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a desalination system for vessels.

[0004] Background Art

[0005] A number of desalination systems for vessels are known to be used to produce fresh water from salt water taken from the sea.

[0006] In general, these systems use the reverse osmosis process, also known as hyperfiltration.

[0007] In actual facts, reverse osmosis is a filtration process using a semipermeable membrane to remove impurities and contaminants from a solution, such as water. In particular, this process is carried out by forcing the solution, e.g. by means of a high-pressure pump, to flow through the membrane which thus filters the solution itself.

[0008] Generally, the reverse osmosis process for water desalination is carried out using special desalination systems employing desalinators that receive salt water at inlet and return fresh water at outlet.

[0009] In particular, known desalinators use pumping means adapted to force seawater through the osmotic membrane, which allows the water to be desalinated.

[0010] This membrane divides the desalinator into two sections, where the first section receives pressurized salt water from the pumping means and the second section receives desalinated water from the first section through the filtering membrane. This type of systems is widely used in the nautical field, where it is of primary importance to have fresh water available during navigation.

[0011] In particular, in this field, it is convenient to connect the pumping means, e.g. via an electric clutch, to the vessel’s engine, i.e., the engine that allows propulsion to the vessel itself.

[0012] By so doing, the operation of the engine also causes the pumping means to operate and fresh water to be produced, without the need for a dedicated engine solely for the operation of the pumping means, with obvious drawbacks in terms of consumption, maintenance and the like.

[0013] Furthermore, known systems use a static valve to adjust the pressure within the first section of the desalinator and thus optimize the production of fresh water.

[0014] This valve has the aim of throttling the discharge of salt water to obtain a pressure within the first section that is adequate to push the water through the filtering membrane.

[0015] However, this type of systems has some drawbacks.

[0016] In fact, maximum fresh water production is achieved when the membrane is subjected to an ideal working pressure, i.e., the pressure maximizing the flow rate of water flowing through the membrane without damaging the latter.

[0017] However, as mentioned above, in this type of systems, the flow rate of water fed by the pumping means into the first section depends on the engine speed.

[0018] Therefore, the ideal working pressure is only achieved when the vessel’s engine reaches a predefined number of revolutions.

[0019] This, however, limits the production of fresh water below the ideal number of revolutions, while subjecting the membrane to severe mechanical stress above the ideal number of revolutions.

[0020] In other words, this drawback allows the filtering membrane to operate safely and at maximum efficiency only within a very narrow engine speed range.

[0021] Consequently, to reduce the risk of membrane failure, some systems of known type deactivate the desalinator when the predefined speed is exceeded, thus limiting the production of fresh water.

[0022] To overcome this drawback, some systems allow several desalinators to be connected to each other in a fluid-operated maimer, so as to increase the production of fresh water below the ideal number of revolutions.

[0023] However, connecting several desalinators together is often complex and causes a significant increase in the overall dimensions of known systems, thus reducing the space available on the vessel.

[0024] Description of the invention

[0025] The main aim of the present invention is to devise a desalination system for vessels which allows for increased production of fresh water.

[0026] A further object of the present invention is to devise a desalination system for vessels which allows for reduced risk of filtering membrane breakage. An additional object of the present invention is to devise a desalination system for vessels which allows for reduced overall dimensions of the system itself An additional object of the present invention is to devise a desalination system for vessels which allows different desalinators to be connected to each other easily, simply and quickly.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to devise a desalination system for vessels which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome in a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

[0028] The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present system having the characteristics of claim 1.

[0029] The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present kit having the characteristics of claim 9.

[0030] The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present method having the characteristics of claim 10.

[0031] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a desalination system for vessels, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the system according to the invention;

[0034] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the system according to the invention;

[0035] Figure 3 is a detailed axonometric view of some parts of the system according to the invention;

[0036] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of some parts of the system according to the invention;

[0037] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of other parts of the system according to the invention;

[0038] Figure 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view of some components of the system according to the invention.

[0039] Embodiments of the Invention With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a desalination system for vessels.

[0040] The desalination system 1 for vessels comprises at least one reverse osmosis desalinator 2 for vessels.

[0041] In particular, the desalinator 2 is provided with at least one basic body 3 comprising at least one filtering chamber 4 of seawater.

[0042] In addition, the basic body 3 comprises at least one filtering membrane 5 adapted to desalinate the seawater flowing through it.

[0043] Preferably, the basic body 3 has a substantially elongated, preferably cylindrical conformation and extends along a direction of extension A.

[0044] More specifically, the filtering membrane 5 is arranged within the filtering chamber 4, dividing it into at least a first section 6, adapted to receive the seawater to be desalinated, and at least a second section 7, adapted to receive the water coming from the first section 6 through the filtering membrane 5.

[0045] According to the invention, the system 1 comprises pumping means 8 connected in a fluid-operated manner to the first section 6 and configured to feed pressurized salt water within the latter, so as to force salt water to flow through the filtering membrane 5.

[0046] In particular, the filtering membrane 5 defines a threshold pressure beyond which the water flows through the membrane itself from the first section 6 to the second section 7.

[0047] In other words, when the threshold pressure is exceeded, the salt water flows through the filtering membrane 5 and is received, desalinated, by the second section 7.

[0048] The second section 7 defines at least one outlet port 9 connected to an external line of the desalinated water in a fluid-operated maimer, e.g., to a line of a vessel’s hydraulic system.

[0049] Usefully, the pumping means 8 are configured to vary the flow rate of salt water fed within the first section 6, e.g. by means of control means of the pumping means themselves.

[0050] According to the invention, the system 1 comprises valve means 10 provided with: at least one hollow body 11 defining at least one conduit 12 connecting the first section 6 to a discharge opening 13 in a fluid-operated manner; at least one plugging body 14 arranged within the hollow body 11 to define with the latter the transit section 15 of the water flowing along the conduit 12, the plugging body 14 being movable within the conduit 12 to vary the width of the transit section 15.

[0051] In particular, the conduit 12 has a cross-sectional area which is variable along its length.

[0052] In this way, the movement of the plugging body 14 within the conduit 12 varies the width of the transit section 15.

[0053] Conveniently, the plugging body 14 has a plugging section which is variable along its length.

[0054] Preferably, the plugging body 14 and the conduit 12 have a substantially complementary shape with respect to each other.

[0055] For example, the plugging body 14 and the conduit 12 have a substantially conical or truncated conical shape.

[0056] Advantageously, the first section 6 defines at least one inlet opening 16 connected to the pumping means 8 in a fluid-operated maimer.

[0057] It cannot be ruled out that the first section 6 may define at least one outlet opening 17 connected to the valve means 10 in a fluid-operated manner.

[0058] Preferably, the inlet opening and the outlet opening 17 coincide.

[0059] In this way, the first section 6 receives salt water from the inlet opening 16 and ejects salt water from the outlet opening 17 via the valve means 10.

[0060] According to the invention, the system 1 comprises valve means 10 comprising automatic movement means 36 for automatically moving the plugging body 14 according to the water pressure within the first section 6.

[0061] In other words, the movement means 36 automatically modify the position of the plugging body 14 within the conduit 12, thereby varying the width of the transit section 15 according to the water pressure within the first section 6.

[0062] In this way, the valve means 10 allow the pressure within the first section 6 to be varied.

[0063] In fact, the increase in the transit section 15 causes the reduction in the pressure within the first section 6, while the reduction in the transit section 15 causes the increase in the pressure within the first section 6.

[0064] In particular, the actuation of the movement means 36 and therefore the movement of the plugging body 14 is caused (directly and / or indirectly) by the variation in water pressure within the first section 6.

[0065] In particular, the movement means 36 are configured to automatically move the plugging body 14 to keep the pressure within the first section 6 substantially at a predefined working pressure.

[0066] Advantageously, the predefined working pressure is at least partly defined by the characteristics of the filtering membrane 5 and substantially corresponds to the pressure (or to a range of pressures) allowing the flow rate of water flowing through the filtering membrane 5 to be maximized without damaging the membrane itself.

[0067] Conveniently, the system 1 comprises at least one pressure sensor 18 configured to detect the water pressure within the first section 6.

[0068] In addition, the movement means 36 comprise at least one electric actuator 19 configured to move the plugging body 14 according to the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 18.

[0069] In particular, the system 1 comprises control means 20 operationally connected to the pressure sensor 18 and to the movement means 36.

[0070] Furthermore, the control means 20 are configured to command the movement means 36 according to the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 18.

[0071] In particular, the control means 20 are operationally connected to the electric actuator 19 and are configured to command the latter according to the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 18.

[0072] Conveniently, the electric actuator 19 is kinematically connected to the plugging body 14.

[0073] Preferably, the electric actuator 19 is of the type of an electric motor.

[0074] In particular, the control means 20 are configured to command the electric actuator 19 to increase and reduce the width of the transit section 15 depending on the increase and reduction respectively of the water pressure within the first section 6, preferably with respect to the predefined working pressure.

[0075] Preferably, the control means 20 are of the type of an electronic control device, such as e.g. a control unit, a PC, a controller, a PLC or the like.

[0076] Advantageously, the system 1 comprises at least one valve assembly 22 connected in a fluid-operated maimer and placed between the first section 6 and a discharge port 23, the valve assembly 22 being configured to prevent and allow water to flow from the first section 6 to the discharge port 23 according to the pressure within the first section 6.

[0077] In particular, the valve assembly 22 allows water to flow from the first section 6 to the discharge port 23 when a safety pressure is exceeded.

[0078] Preferably, the safety pressure substantially coincides with a limit pressure beyond which the operation of the filtering membrane 5 is impaired, e.g. due to the rupture and / or damage of the latter.

[0079] In particular, the limit pressure is defined by the characteristics of the filtering membrane.

[0080] This arrangement allows the soundness of the filtering membrane 5 to be preserved in the event of the pressure within the first section 6 exceeding the limit pressure.

[0081] Advantageously, the valve assembly 22 comprises at least one piping 21 connecting the first section 6 to the discharge port 23 and at least one plugging member 38 arranged movable within the piping to prevent or allow water to flow through the piping itself.

[0082] Furthermore, the valve assembly 22 comprises at least one elastic member 29 operating on the plugging member 38, tending to keep the latter plug the piping 21. In this way, the plugging member 38 is moved to release the piping 21 only when the pressure within the first section 6 exerts a force on the plugging member 38 greater than that exerted by the elastic member 39.

[0083] More specifically, the discharge port 23 coincides with the discharge opening 13 and the valve assembly 22 is connected in parallel to the valve means 10 in a fluid-operated manner.

[0084] In other words, the valve assembly 22 bypasses the valve means 10 when the pressure within the first section 6 exceeds the limit pressure.

[0085] Conveniently, the pumping means 8 are kinematically coupled to at least one engine member 24 for the propulsion of a vessel.

[0086] It cannot, however, be ruled out that the pumping means 8 may be kinematically coupled to motion transmission means other than the engine member 24, such as e.g. a wind turbine generator, an engine member driven by a solar panel or the like.

[0087] Furthermore, the pumping means 8 are configured to vary the flow rate of salt water fed into the first section 6 depending on the revolutions of the engine member 24.

[0088] In other words, the engine member 24 is kinematically connected both to the pumping means 8 and to the propulsion means of the vessel.

[0089] In particular, the pumping means 8 are configured to increase and reduce the flow rate in response to the increase and reduction respectively, of the revolutions of the engine member 24 of the vessel.

[0090] In fact, it cannot be ruled out that the system 1 may comprise the engine member 24, where the engine member 24 is configured to drive the propulsion means of the vessel.

[0091] Usefully, the control means 20 are operationally connected to the engine member 24, e.g. to detect the revolutions of the latter.

[0092] Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that the control means 20 are operationally connected to the pumping means 8, e.g. to detect the flow rate of the water fed into the first section 6.

[0093] According to a possible, but not exclusive, embodiment, the movement means 36 comprise an elastic element, not shown in the figures, connected to the plugging body 14.

[0094] In other words, in this embodiment, the movement means 36 comprise the elastic element instead of the electric actuator 19.

[0095] Preferably, the elastic element is of the type of a spring or the like. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the plugging body 14 is moved along the conduit 12 as a result of the water pressure within the first section 6, substantially increasing the width of the transit section 15.

[0096] In addition, the elastic element elastically counteracts the movement of the plugging body 14, tending to naturally move it so as to reduce the width of the transit section 15.

[0097] In other words, the elastic element operates the plugging body 14, tending to move it to substantially close the transit section 15, while the water pressure within the first section operates the plugging body 14, substantially counteracting the action of the elastic element, loading it elastically.

[0098] In this way, the water pressure and the elastic element allow for the automatic movement of the plugging body 14 and the automatic adjustment of the width of the transit section 15.

[0099] Advantageously, the desalinator 2 comprises a pair of headers 25 arranged at the opposite ends of the basic body 3.

[0100] Furthermore, at least one of the headers 25 defines within it: at least one pumping channel 26 connecting the pumping means 8 to the first section 6 in a fluid-operated maimer; and / or at least one outlet channel 27 connected to the second section 7 in a fluid- operated manner so as to convey the water outside the second section itself.

[0101] Conveniently, the pumping channel 26 and the outlet channel 27 are separate from each other.

[0102] In particular, the first pumping channel 26 connects the pumping means 8 to the inlet opening 16 in a fluid-operated manner.

[0103] Usefully, the outlet channel 27 is connected to the outlet port 9 in a fluid-operated manner.

[0104] Conveniently, at least one of the headers 25 defines at least one discharge channel 35 within it, which connects the first section 6 to the discharge opening 13 in a fluid-operated manner and along which channel the valve means 10 are arranged. In particular, the discharge channel 35 is connected to the pumping channel 26 in a fluid-operated manner. Usefully, at least one of the headers 25 defines at least one outflow channel 37 which connects the valve assembly 22 to the first section 6 in a fluid-operated maimer.

[0105] In particular, the outflow channel 37 is connected to the pumping channel 26 in a fluid-operated manner.

[0106] More specifically, the outflow channel 37 is connected in parallel to the discharge channel 35 in a fluid-operated manner.

[0107] Conveniently, the headers 25 are coupled to the opposite ends of the basic body 3 to close the first section and the second section 7.

[0108] Preferably, each header 25 defines at least one pumping channel 26 and at least one outlet channel 27 within it.

[0109] Usefully, the headers 25 are couplable, in a removable manner, to the headers 25 of additional desalinators 2, by connecting the following items to each other in a fluid-operated manner: the pumping channel 26 of the desalinator 2 to the pumping channel 26 of the additional desalinator 2; and / or the outlet channel 27 of the desalinator 2 to the outlet channel 27 of the additional desalinator 2.

[0110] In other words, each header 25 of a desalinator 2 is couplable to a corresponding header 25 of an additional desalinator 2 in a removable manner.

[0111] In this way, the first section 6 of the desalinator 2 is connected to the first section

[0112] 6 of the additional desalinator 2 in a fluid-operated manner and the second section

[0113] 7 of the desalinator 2 is connected to the second section 7 of the additional desalinator 2 in a fluid-operated manner.

[0114] Advantageously, the headers 25 coupled to each other are arranged close to each other so that the respective desalinators 2 are arranged substantially parallel and adjacent to each other, e.g. as shown in Figure 1.

[0115] In particular, the system 1 comprises one or more fitting elements 28 arranged, in use, between the headers 25 of different desalinators 2 to connect different pumping channels 26 and / or different outlet channels 27 in a fluid-operated manner. More specifically, in use, the fitting element 28 is at least partly inserted, substantially concealed, within the channels 26, 27 it connects.

[0116] Usefully, each header 25 of the desalinator 2 is couplable simultaneously, in a removable maimer, to a plurality of headers 25, each belonging to an additional desalinator 2.

[0117] Advantageously, the headers 25 define one or more coupling faces 29.

[0118] Furthermore, one or more of the coupling faces 29 is arranged, in use, facing so as to substantially abut against the coupling face 29 of the header 25 of the additional desalinator 2 to couple the headers 25 to each other.

[0119] Preferably, the header 25 comprises one or more lateral coupling faces 29 which substantially define the lateral perimeter 30 of the header itself. In other words, the lateral coupling face 29 extends substantially parallel to the direction of extension A.

[0120] In this way, one or more desalinators 2 are adapted to be placed side by side and / or stacked on top of each other, substantially flanking and / or overlapping the lateral coupling faces 29 of the same desalinators 2.

[0121] In other words, in this way, the desalinators 2 are adapted to be arranged substantially parallel to each other, i.e., by arranging the directions of extension A of the same desalinators parallel to each other.

[0122] Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that the header 25 may comprise at least one front coupling face 29. In other words, the front coupling face 29 extends substantially transversely, preferably orthogonally, to the direction of extension A.

[0123] In this way, one or more desalinators 2 are adapted to be aligned with each other, substantially flanking and / or overlapping the front coupling faces 29 of the same desalinators 2.

[0124] This expedient allows several desalinators 2 to be coupled to each other in a compact manner depending on the size of the spaces which must accommodate the desalinators themselves.

[0125] Preferably, the header 25 comprises four lateral coupling faces 29 connected to each other so as to define a lateral profile of the header 25 of substantially polygonal shape, e.g. rectangular, preferably square.

[0126] Conveniently, the pumping channel 26 comprises a plurality of pumping branches 31, each of which can be coupled, in a fluid-operated and removable maimer, to the pumping branch 31 of an additional desalinator 2.

[0127] Furthermore, the outlet channel 27 comprises a plurality of outlet branches 32, each of which couplable, in a fluid-operated and removable manner, to the outlet branch 32 of an additional desalinator 2.

[0128] Advantageously, each of the pumping branches 31 defines a first access opening 33 facing from a corresponding coupling face 29.

[0129] Furthermore, each of the outlet branches 32 defines a second access opening 34 facing from a corresponding coupling face 29.

[0130] Usefully, the system 1 comprises one or more closure elements 38 arranged, in use, to close the first openings 33 and / or the second openings 34 which are not connected to any other first opening 33 and / or second opening 34 of another header 25.

[0131] Usefully, the system 1 comprises a plurality of desalinators 2.

[0132] Furthermore, the header 25 of at least one of the desalinators 2 comprises the discharge channel 35 that connects the first section 6 to the discharge opening 13 in a fluid-operated manner and along which the valve means 10 are arranged.

[0133] In particular, one or more desalinators 2 comprise at least one header 25 comprising the discharge channel 35, and one or more desalinators 2 comprise at least one header 25 lacking the discharge channel 35.

[0134] More specifically, only one desalinator 2 comprises a header 25 comprising the discharge channel 35 and the other desalinators 2 comprise headers 25 lacking the discharge channel 35.

[0135] According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a vessel comprising: at least one system 1; the engine member 24.

[0136] According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a desalination kit for vessels, comprising valve means 10 connectable, in a fluid-operator manner, to at least one reverse osmosis desalinator 2 for vessels provided with at least one basic body 3 comprising: at least one filtering chamber 4 of seawater; at least one filtering membrane 5 adapted to desalinate the seawater flowing through it, the filtering membrane 5 being arranged within the filtering chamber 4, dividing it into at least a first section 6, adapted to receive the seawater to be desalinated, and at least a second section 7, adapted to receive the water coming from the first section 6 through the filtering membrane 5;

[0137] Furthermore, the valve means 10 are provided with: at least one hollow body 11 defining at least one conduit 12 connectable to the first section 6 in a fluid-operator maimer, connecting it to a discharge opening 13 in a fluid-operator manner; at least one plugging body 14 arranged within the hollow body 11 to define with the latter the transit section 15 of the water flowing along the conduit 12, the plugging body 14 being movable within the conduit 12 to vary the width of the transit section 15.

[0138] In addition, the valve means 10 comprise automatic movement means 36 for automatically moving the plugging body 14 according to the water pressure within the first section 6.

[0139] Advantageously, the kit comprises at least one pressure sensor 18 operationally connected to the movement means 36.

[0140] Conveniently, the pressure sensor 18 is operationally connectable to the first section 6 to detect the water pressure within the latter.

[0141] Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that the pressure sensor 18 may be connected to management means of the vessel, such as e.g. a control unit, a microcontroller, a PLC or the like, preferably connected to the engine member 24 and / or to the pumping means 8 of the vessel itself.

[0142] Advantageously, the kit comprises control means 20 operationally connected to the pressure sensor 18 and / or to the valve means 10.

[0143] It cannot be ruled out that the control means 20 may be operationally connected to the management means and / or to the engine member 24.

[0144] Preferably, one or more of the characteristics of one or more components described above with reference to the system 1 are also to be considered valid for the same components described with reference to the kit.

[0145] According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to an assembly process of a desalination kit for vessels, comprising at least the phases of supplying at least one vessel provided with: at least one reverse osmosis desalinator 2 for vessels, the desalinator 2 being provided with at least one basic body 3 comprising: at least one filtering chamber 4 of seawater; at least one filtering membrane 5 adapted to desalinate the seawater flowing through it, the filtering membrane 5 being arranged within the filtering chamber 4, dividing it into at least a first section 6, adapted to receive the seawater to be desalinated, and at least a second section 7, adapted to receive the water coming from the first section 6 through the filtering membrane 5; pumping means 8 connected to the first section 6 in a fluid-operator maimer and configured to feed pressurized salt water within the latter, the filtering membrane 5 defining a threshold pressure above which the water flows through the membrane itself, flowing from the first section 6 to the second section 7; at least one engine member 24 for the propulsion of the vessel, kinematically coupled to the pumping means 8, the pumping means 8 being configured to vary the flow rate of the salt water fed within the first section 6 according to the revolutions of the engine member 24; at least one valve member connecting the first section 6 to a discharge opening 13 in a fluid-operator manner.

[0146] Furthermore, the process comprises at least one phase of supplying a kit and one phase of assembling the kit on the vessel, the assembly phase comprising at least one step of replacing the valve member with the valve means 10 of the kit.

[0147] Preferably, one or more of the characteristics of one or more components described above with reference to the system 1 and / or to the kit are also to be considered valid for the same components described with reference to the assembly process.

[0148] It cannot be ruled out that the assembly phase may comprise a step for installing the pressure sensor 18 and / or the control means 20.

[0149] Conveniently, the step of installation comprises a step of connecting the control means 20 to the pressure sensor 18 and / or to the valve means 10.

[0150] It has, in practice, been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

[0151] In particular, it should be noted that the movement means make it possible to increase the production of fresh water, thus reducing the risk of breaking the filtering membrane .

[0152] Furthermore, the headers which are mutually couplable in a removable maimer allow different desalinators to be coupled easily and quickly.

[0153] In addition, the headers which are mutually couplable in a removable manner, allow the desalinators to be positioned close together, thus increasing fresh water production and minimizing the overall dimensions of the system.

Claims

1.CLAIMS1) Desalination system (1) for vessels, comprising: at least one reverse osmosis desalinator (2) for vessels, said desalinator (2) being provided with at least one basic body (3) comprising: at least one filtering chamber (4) of seawater; at least one filtering membrane (5) adapted to desalinate the seawater flowing through it, said filtering membrane (5) being arranged within said filtering chamber (4), dividing it into at least a first section (6), adapted to receive the seawater to be desalinated, and at least a second section (7), adapted to receive the water coming from said first section (6) through said filtering membrane (5); pumping means (8) connected in a fluid-operated maimer to said first section (6) and configured to feed pressurized salt water within this section, so as to force the salt water to flow through said filtering membrane (5);- valve means (10) provided with:- at least one hollow body (11) defining at least one conduit (12) connecting said first section (6) to a discharge opening (13) in a fluid- operated manner;- at least one plugging body (14) arranged within said hollow body (11) to define with the latter a transit section (15) of the water flowing along said conduit (12), said plugging body (14) being movable within said conduit (12) so as to vary the width of said transit section (15); characterized by the fact that said valve means (10) comprise automatic movement means (36) of said plugging body (14) according to the water pressure within said first section (6).2) System (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said movement means (36) are configured to automatically move said plugging body (14) to keep the pressure within said first section (6) substantially at a predefined working pressure.3) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one pressure sensor (18) configured to detect thewater pressure within said first section (6) and by the fact that said movement means (36) comprise at least one electric actuator (19) configured to move said plugging body (14) according to the pressure detected by said pressure sensor (18).4) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises control means (20) operationally connected to said pressure sensor (18) and to said movement means (36), said control means (20) being configured to command said movement means (36) according to the pressure detected by said pressure sensor (18).5) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said pumping means (8) are kinematically coupled to at least one engine member (24) for the propulsion of a vessel, said pumping means (8) being configured to vary the flow rate of salt water injected within said first section (6) according to the revolutions of the engine member (24).6) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said desalinator (2) comprises a pair of headers (25) arranged at the opposite ends of said basic body (3) and by the fact that at least one of said headers (25) defines within it: at least one pumping channel (26) connecting said pumping means (8) to said first section (6) in a fluid-operated maimer; and / or at least one outlet channel (27) connected to said second section (7) in a fluid- operated manner so as to convey water outside this section.7) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said headers (25) are couplable, in a removable manner, to the headers (25) of additional desalinators (2) by connecting the following items together in a fluid-operated manner: the pumping channel (26) of said desalinator (2) to the pumping channel (26) of said additional desalinator (2); and / or the outlet channel (27) of said desalinator (2) with the outlet channel (27) of said additional desalinator (2).8) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said headers (25) define a plurality of coupling faces (29) and by the fact that one or more of said coupling faces (29) are arranged, in use, facing to substantially abut against the coupling face (29) of the header (25) of said additional desalinator (2) to couple said headers (25) to each other.9) Desalination kit for vessels, comprising valve means (10) connectable, in a fluid-operator maimer, to at least one reverse osmosis desalinator (2) for vessels provided with at least one basic body (3) comprising: at least one filtering chamber (4) of seawater; at least one filtering membrane (5) adapted to desalinate the seawater flowing through it, the filtering membrane (5) being arranged within the filtering chamber (4), dividing it into at least a first section (6), adapted to receive the seawater to be desalinated, and at least a second section (7), adapted to receive the water coming from the first section (6) through the filtering membrane (5); said valve means (10) comprising: at least one hollow body (11) defining at least one conduit (12) connectable to the first section (6) in a fluid-operator manner, connecting it to a discharge opening (13) in a fluid-operator manner; at least one plugging body (14) arranged within said hollow body (11) to define with the latter the transit section (15) of the water flowing along said conduit (12), said plugging body (14) being movable within said conduit (12) to vary the width of said transit section (15); characterized by the fact that said valve means (10) comprise automatic movement means (36) of said plugging body (14) according to the water pressure within the first section (6).10) Assembly process of a desalination kit for vessels according to claim 9, comprising at least the phases of supplying at least one vessel provided with: at least one reverse osmosis desalinator (2) for vessels, the desalinator (2) being provided with at least one basic body (3) comprising:- at least one filtering chamber (4) of seawater;- at least one filtering membrane (5) adapted to desalinate the seawater flowing through it, said filtering membrane (5) being arranged within said filtering chamber (4), dividing it into at least a first section (6), adapted to receive the seawater to be desalinated, and at least a second section (7), adapted to receive the water coming from said first section (6) through said filtering membrane (5); pumping means (8) connected to said first section (6) in a fluid-operator maimer and configured to feed pressurized salt water within this section, said filtering membrane (5) defining a threshold pressure above which the water flows through the membrane itself, flowing from said first section (6) to said second section (7); at least one engine member (24) for the propulsion of said vessel, kinematically coupled to said pumping means (8), said pumping means (8) being configured to vary the flow rate of salt water fed within said first section (6) according to the revolutions of said engine member (24); at least one valve member connecting said first section (6) to a discharge opening (13) in a fluid-operator manner; characterized by the fact that said process comprises at least one phase of supplying a kit according to claim 9 and a phase of assembling said kit on said vessel, said phase of assembling comprising at least one step of replacing said valve member with said valve means (10) of said kit.

Images