Flowserve Boosts Decarbonization Efforts: Acquires Submerged LNG Pump Technology

Flowserve Corp. purchased the intellectual property and in-process R&D of NexGen Cryogenic Solutions’ (NexGen Cryo) cryogenic LNG submerged pump technology, systems, and packaging.

“LNG provides a resilient pathway to energy transition,” said Scott Rowe, President and Chief Executive Officer, Flowserve. “As we continue advancing our 3D growth strategy to diversify, decarbonize, and digitize, this technology acquisition will strengthen our decarbonization offerings across the LNG value chain. We look forward to leveraging our new LNG pump facility with our existing network of more than 150 quick-response centers to commercialize this LNG product offering to our customers.”

Its pump and CERT technology for the liquefaction, shipping, and regasification markets will diversify and expand Flowserve’s LNG product portfolio, complementing existing pump, valve, and mechanical seal offerings. The acquisition closed during Q3 2024 and NexGen Cryo’s technology is added to Flowserve’s Pumps Division.

Cold energy recovery turbine; Image Credits: NexGen Cryo

“With over 300 years of combined cryogenic pump team experience, we are excited in the potential for this technology to provide LNG customers across the globe with improved efficiency, increased reliability, and reduced operating expenditures,” said Dennis Chalmers, President and Chief Executive Officer of NexGen Cryo. “I am excited for the next phase of this technology.”

NexGen Cryo is an Arizona-based company that specializes in engineering, designing, and testing LNG pumps and turbines.

In June 2024, Heide Refinery partnered with Flowserve to implement its Energy Advantage Program (EAP)—a data-driven engineering evaluation process that optimizes pump and valve power consumption with minimal disruption to existing processes. Heide will leverage this flow control capability to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency, and lower ownership costs.

An initial Flowserve assessment identified and analyzed Heide Refinery’s largest energy-consuming flow loops and clarified potential savings. Next, Flowserve’s engineers installed flow control solutions and provided recommendations for improved energy efficiency and performance tailored to Heide Refinery’s current process requirements. With these recommendations, the company expects to cut back its annual power consumption by more than approximately 2,000 MWh.

Following the pilot’s success, Flowserve and Heide Refinery will continue their partnership to capture additional energy savings. The EAP will be expanded to include the optimization of new flow loops within the plant.

In July 2023, Flowserve obtained licensor approval for its butterfly valve, the Valtek Valdisk, for use in pressure swing adsorption (PSA) applications following a 1 million-cycle endurance test. The butterfly valve is ideal for chemical plants, oil refineries, and similar facilities requiring control valves. The Valtek Valdisk butterfly valve complements Flowserve's offerings for PSA applications, joining the Valtek Mark One globe valve and Logix 3800 digital positioner. Valtek control valves and Logix automation contribute to equipment longevity and maintain gas purity in PSA skids.

The endurance test was conducted following licensor standards to replicate the harsh operating conditions of high-cycle PSA processes. The valve underwent 1 million open/close cycles with upstream pressures of 350 psi while monitoring seat and stem leakage. The test also evaluated the valve's sensitivity, repeatability, and linearity by following a defined control ramp. The valve shutoff reliability allows plant operators to maintain precise pressure in the PSA vessel and extract purer hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen (or other gases).