With over 2,000 ammonia-ready marine pumps in operation or in order, including nearly 100 fuel pumps, Svanehoj's proven track record and vast experience in ammonia applications drive the transition towards cleaner energy in shipping.
The growing interest in alternative fuels for maritime transport is driving a surge in demand for specialized critical components capable of handling highly corrosive and toxic carbon-free liquids in a safe and efficient way.
Drawing on extensive experience in ammonia applications, Svanehoj's electric fuel and cargo pumps for ammonia are designed to ensure safe operation and maintenance onboard, fully matching the reliability of equipment for conventionally fueled vessels.
For ammonia applications, Svanehoj's specialized deepwell (DW) low-pressure pump design offers significant operational advantages. Being long-shafted pumps, DW pumps keep all electrical components outside the tank, ensuring easy service access while preventing excessive heat from the motor to increase boil-off gas and pressure inside the tank. The pumps are hermetically sealed, eliminating the risk of a gas leak, and equipped with a patented foot valve system, allowing for full pump extraction and servicing, regardless of tank content or liquid level.
The DW pump is engineered to achieve an operational reliability standard of 5 years/25,000 hours between service. A comprehensive lifetime study, including rigorous testing and detailed mechanical component analysis, confirmed that service is only required every five years during regular docking. Notably, all maintenance until 10 years/50,000 hours can be performed without the need for tank access.
The same trusted pump technology for every application
Svanehoj recently developed a dedicated high-pressure ammonia fuel pump capable of delivering a fuel injection pressure of up to 100 BAR. The new compact solution, named "HP NH3 Fuel Pump", has a small footprint (2,100x780x1,450 mm), making it a perfect fit for the Tank Connection Space (TCS) in an ammonia fuel supply system.
The HP NH3 Fuel Pump is based on the design of the DW pump, which has sold more than 1,000 units since its introduction, with 100 of those units being used for ammonia. By leveraging the same trusted pump technology across both low-pressure and high-pressure ranges, Svanehoj not only simplifies the installation process but also minimizes maintenance complexity and costs. Customers benefit from a unified, proven solution that enhances reliability and operational efficiency.
"The maritime market is showing a growing appetite for green ammonia solutions. Ammonia-fueled ship engines will be commercially available from 2025, and at Svanehoj, we are proud to support the energy transition of shipping by offering both low- and high-pressure pump solutions for the emerging green ammonia market", says Johnny Houmann, CSO at Svanehoj.
To meet the highest safety standards, Svanehoj has introduced several innovative features. The HP NH3 Fuel Pump is hermetically sealed with no mechanical shaft seals and designed with a magnetic coupling that ensures the transmission of torque from the motor. The coupling containment shroud is made from magnesium-stabilized zirconium oxide, providing optimum temperature stability. For pumps installed in engine rooms or on deck, Svanehoj has added an optional fail-safe mechanism as a second barrier. In the unlikely event of a breach in the containment shroud, this mechanism will activate to contain the pumped media inside the coupling housing.
In terms of maintenance, the pump is fully drainable and can be lifted out in one piece. It is designed with only one media-lubricated and easily changeable ceramic ball bearing for all axial loads. For the power transmission, Svanehoj has a heavy-duty drive with a carbon-reinforced and easily accessible timing belt system.
source: Svanehøj
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