What is the role of LNG Submersible Pump

LNG Submersible Pump is a type of liquid gas pump that is used to pump LNG from storage tanks to stationery tanks for transportation. The purpose of pumping LNG from storage tanks to stationery tanks is to carry out the transfer process and to remove residual pressure in the liquid gas. LNG pumps can be fixed, vessel-mounted, or retractable. They can be installed in a suction vessel to take loads off the piping system or structural elements.

LNG Submersible Pumps are fitted with electrical feed-through assemblies that ensure the pumps operate safely. The electrical feed-through assemblies must be made from the right materials and must be designed with redundancies to prevent gas leakage. The pumps must also have vibration monitoring systems to alert operators when they are operating outside the required parameters. This helps prevent cavitation, which is an indication that the liquid LNG is converting to natural gas. The safety-critical nature of LNG pumping applications demands specially-designed pumps that are capable of operating in extreme conditions.

The optimal configuration of an LNG submersible pump system consists of four general pumps and eight variable-frequency pumps. It reduces input power consumption by up to 10% and is applicable to various LNG transportation conditions. It also helps guide the production operations of an LNG receiving terminal by reducing energy consumption and carbon neutrality.

LNG Submersible Pump comprises a shell body and an air and liquid inlet. It also has a vacuum interlayer between its shell body and pump jacket. A liquid-dispersion tube extends into the pump jacket and connects to the liquid-dispersing opening. The bottom end of the tube is situated at the bottom of the pump.

Long-term service can cause the performance of an LNG submersible pump to degrade. This is because the physical properties of LNG change over time. A follow-up test will evaluate the performance of the LNG submersible pump in a real-life situation at an LNG receiving terminal. The optimization model will then be updated to reflect this on-site production scenario.

Submersible pumps are most commonly used for filling vehicle-mounted bottles, LNG tankers in LNG liquefaction plants, and LNG receiving stations. In addition to being centrifugal, they feature no dynamic seal, which minimizes leakage and cold loss in the unit. They also allow for a fast start-up.