Innovating for the energy transition requires thorough testing

Svanehøj has expanded its cryogenic testing facilities and can now conduct in-house testing of high-pressure pumps up to 350 BAR. This development further strengthens Svanehøj’s position as a leading provider of specialized LNG solutions.

In recent years, Svanehøj has invested significantly in new products and services for the LNG segment, including a new submerged low-pressure fuel pump, the “CS Fuel Pump” [link], and most recently, a complete pump solution for high-pressure fuel systems, the “HPP Triplex Unit” [link], while also developing separate cold-end components for high-pressure LNG retrofit projects.

In parallel, Svanehøj has expanded its testing capabilities and is now able to conduct performance tests of both low-pressure and high-pressure pumps at its headquarters in Denmark.

“We test our LNG cold ends in liquid nitrogen at -180 °C to create an environment that resembles the real-life conditions at sea. We gain valuable insights by testing with nitrogen instead of water, pushing our pumps to the very limits. Cryogenic testing is absolutely essential in our efforts to drive innovation in LNG solutions”, says Dennis Leth Andersen, R&D Engineer at Svanehøj.

At the same time, the new test facilities allow Svanehøj to carry out in-house class approval testing of all cryogenic pumps and components. Recently, the first two HPP pump sets successfully passed class approval and are now heading into the next phase: real-life testing at sea.

A new high-pressure pump design for longer service intervals

High-pressure LNG fuel systems are still relatively new to the maritime industry, and a common issue on vessels is the wear and tear on critical components.

With the HPP Triplex Unit, Svanehøj has addressed the need for more durable and maintenance-friendly components by developing a complete high-pressure pump solution exclusively designed for marine LNG fuel systems and a separate cold-end component for LNG retrofit projects.

In a high-pressure Fuel Gas Supply System (FGSS) for LNG, the cold end is critical in maintaining the natural gas in a liquid state during pumping, ensuring the gas does not vaporize prematurely. This is essential for maintaining an efficient and safe transfer of gas to the engine under high pressure. As the cold end is the component that comes into direct contact with the cryogenic fluid, the design, construction, and material selection are crucial for the successful operation. These factors have been carefully tested and validated by Svanehøj throughout the development process.

“Designing the solution in 3D and running simulations is one thing. It’s when we move into testing, and theory meets reality, the real excitement starts. We’ve refined the design throughout the process and added new features to the pump based on what the tests revealed,” says Dennis Leth Andersen.

Svanehøj HPP Triplex Unit – technical info

A triplex type high pressure piston pump for LNG, with belt drive system, installed on a skid for easy transportation and installation.

• 3 pcs. of cold ends
• ATEX 65 kW motor downrated for VFD operation
• Media: LNG
• Capacity: 11,5 - 72.0 l/min (0.7-4.3 m3/h)
• Inlet pressure: 5-14 bar
• Design pressure: 350 bar
• Working pressure: 315 bar
• Minimum operation temperature: -163°C
• Unit dimensions: 2600x1390x1200 mm

🔗Click to read more about the HPP Triplex Unit and our wide range of solutions for LNG and other fuels: https://www.svanehoj.com/solutions/fuel-gas-solutions/