Abstract: The invention concerns a multi-purpose operating unit for the combined production of electric power and desalinated water. For this purpose an internal-combustion engine (2) operates an electric generator (10), two pumps (17, 33) for conveying water coming from the outside to osmotic membranes (8, 9): along the water flow path between the first and the second pump (17, 33) the flow is split up so as to maintain 47 predefined pressure conditions at the intake of the second pump (33). This ensures uniform operation of the latter even when there is variation in the number of revolutions of the engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating unit (1) in which an internal-combustion engine (3) operates an electric power generator (5). The unit also has associated a cooling apparatus such as a heat pump whose compressor (4) is actuated by the internal-combustion engine, while the evaporator or at least one part thereof allows cold air to be obtained for cooling the generator.