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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1








                             CONSENT OF KPMG LLP







The Board of Directors
Aqua-Chem, Inc.:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement No.
333-60759 on Form S-4 of Aqua-Chem, Inc. of our report dated January 24, 1997,
relating to the consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity,
and cash flows of Aqua-Chem, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December
31, 1996, and the related financial statement schedule, which report appears
in the March 31, 1999 annual report on Form 10-K of Aqua-Chem, Inc.



Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 28, 1999