Innovating in the LNG market for a sustainable future

sustainable future

There is a rising need in the maritime industry to achieve this goal through technological innovation and fuels to reduce emissions. MarFlex and Taiko have been conducting research and development to create cryogenic pumps that are compatible with low emission fuels.

Breaking into a new market

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has implemented several regulations to protect the safety, and security as well as reducing pollution caused by shipping in the maritime industry. Notably, the International Maritime Organization’s Greenhouse Gas (IMO GHG) strategy has been put in place to completely cut greenhouse gases to zero.

There is a rising need in the maritime industry to achieve this goal through technological innovation and fuels to reduce emissions. MarFlex and Taiko have been conducting research and development to create cryogenic pumps that are compatible with low emission fuels.

MarFlex’s cryogenic pumps are a deepwell motor pump, and Taiko’s cryogenic pumps are both deepwell and submerged motor pump. We strive to develop innovative products that contribute to aiding the maritime industry to lower their environmental footprint by leveraging each other’s industry expertise.

MarFlex is committed to being a sustainable company. Our stance can be seen through our logo as we seek to create products that are friendly for the planet and the creatures living in it. To walk the talk, we offer products that support the shift to more sustainable shipping.

We are working towards entering a new market for MarFlex by building these new cryogenic pumps that are suitable for liquefied natural gas (LNGs). MarFlex and Taiko is currently working on two cryogenic pump types: pumps with a submerged motor and deepwell pumps with a motor outside of the tank. Pumps with a higher capacity which makes it ideal for discharging the LNGs at terminals in a harbor, whereas the pumps with lower capacity are used to supply LNG or ammonia for the main engine to power the vessel.

Diving into sustainability

These new pumps cater to the shipping of LNGs and support the three pillars of sustainability: environment, society, and economy.

LNG’s are a growing market for energy sources, and is one of the more environmentally friendly fossil fuels. The IMO predicts about an approximate 35% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by switching to bio-LNG for the overall shipping industry. LNGs are more environmentally friendly as the liquefaction process reduces the natural gas 600 times smaller, so that it can carry significantly more than in its gaseous state.

Companies seeking to become more sustainable can consider transitioning to LNGs. Not only does the LNG that they transport provide a more sustainable fossil fuel but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by powering their vessels and tankers by using LNG.

MarFlex’s deepwell cryogenic pumps are also manufactured sustainably as well, since it is made up of 98% stainless steel 304 (SS304). By using primarily SS304, Marflex cryogenic pumps reduces waste as it can be recycled down the line, once the pumps are no longer in use.

It is common for people to be under a false impression that sustainable products are lower quality. However, SS304 is not only a recyclable material that contributes to waste management, but it is also highly durable. This material is hardwearing and resistant to both LNG and ammonia, another sustainable fuel source that will help with reducing emissions.

LNGs provide the social benefit of being able to safely transport these gasses, as natural gasses are often harder to transport for longer distances. This also brings the social benefit of making it available to areas that would not have otherwise had access to these resources. LNGs are transported using cryogenic tanks, which keeps the liquid at a cooled state of about -162 degrees Celsius. In its liquefied state, these gasses do not ignite, making it relatively safe to transport.

The cryogenics pumps designed by MarFlex are also designed to meet Atex 1 certifications for an explosion proof motor and is designed to be leak proof. The lower capacity, deepwell type 2 uses a magnetic coupling. The leak proof design with the dynamic seal in deepwell type 2 can close for easy maintenance for the thrust bearing, magnetic coupling, and e-motor. The dynamic seal minimizes any risk of ignition as it is not exposed to the atmosphere.

As the cryogenic pumps cater to a completely new market for MarFlex, Peter Raaijmakers, the technical manager, stated that the engineers were excited to develop a new pump design. The engineers embraced the challenge of creating pump that needed to work with low temperatures and low capacity while keeping the manufacturing process highly efficient.

However, because of the unique tanks and low temperatures, cryogenic pumps that can handle such conditions are costly. The high cost may have played a role in deterring companies from transitioning to transport and use LNGs. MarFlex is seeking to lower that barrier by creating new opportunities for shipping companies through our competitively priced cryogenic pumps.

A primary example of this for MarFlex’s cryogenic pumps is the dynamic seal. It has been designed to minimize the number of components while maintaining the quality to perform the desired functions. This emphasis on efficiency for both parts and performance have in turn reduced the manufacturing and assembly costs. These pumps will be more accessible to make the use of LNGs more mainstream in the maritime industry to reduce emissions.

Through our ongoing efforts for the development of the cryogenic pumps, we have kept in mind the social, economical and environmental value. MarFlex and Taiko have been working together and relying on each other’s experiences to overcome challenges when developing cryogenic pumps to enter the new market. We are look forward to providing pump solutions that will help with the maritime industry transition to lower emission energy sources.