Svanehøj Launches Marine Fuel Solution: HP NH3 Fuel Pump
The high-pressure centrifugal pump is hermetically sealed and designed with a magnetic coupling that aids torque transmission from the motor.
Svanehøj developed a dedicated high-pressure ammonia fuel pump, the HP NH3 Fuel Pump, capable of fuel injection pressure up to 100 BAR. It is based on the company’s deepwell low-pressure fuel pump, some of which are used for marine-based ammonia fuel applications. The HP NH3 Fuel Pump has a small footprint—2,100 x 780 x 1,450 mm—and can fit the tank connection space (TCS) in an ammonia fuel supply system.
"We have long been encouraged by customers and partners to develop a high-pressure ammonia pump of the same standard as our low-pressure fuel pump,” said Johnny Houmann, Chief Sales Officer at Svanehøj. “Early in the R&D process, we determined that our existing centrifugal pump design would be the optimal solution in terms of efficiency and maintenance. As a result, we have developed a pump with a design that already has a proven track record, and we are confident it will meet our customers' high expectations."
Accounting for ammonia’s highly toxic and corrosive properties, Svanehøj introduced the following features:
- Hermetically sealed with no mechanical shaft seals
- Magnetic coupling to ensure torque transmission from the motor
- Containment shroud made of magnesium-stabilized zirconium oxide to keep temperature stable
- Optional fail-safe mechanism to contain pumped media within the coupling housing
HP NH3 Fuel Pump; Image Credits: Svanehøj
“Although no commercial ships are operating on ammonia fuel yet, the maritime market has shown a growing appetite for investing in green ammonia solutions,” said Houmann. “Ammonia-fueled ship engines will be commercially available by 2025, and at Svanehøj, 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.”
For maintenance operations, the pump is fully drainable and can be lifted out in one piece. It contains a media-lubricated, easily changeable ceramic ball bearing for axial loads. In terms of power transmission, Svanehøj uses a heavy-duty drive with a carbon-reinforced, accessible timing belt system. The HP NH3 Fuel Pump has flow measured at 37 m3/h and a discharge pressure of 85 BAR.
Svanehøj Pump News
In July 2024, Svanehøj received a contract to provide deepwell ammonia fuel pumps for eight bulk carriers owned by a maritime shipping and logistics group. The pumps will deliver a reliable fuel supply and are compatible with all liquefied gas fuels, including LNG, LPG, methanol, and ammonia. Svanehøj will deliver the first two pumps in 2024, fulfilling the complete order in 2025.
These commercial bulk carriers are, according to the company, the first vessels of their size capable of ammonia-fueled operation. They will be outfitted with a dual fueling system of traditional diesel oil and clean fuel. The fuel pumps enable the vessels to use ammonia and additional sustainable fuels.
In March, ITT—the owner of Svanehøj—announced an investment of approximately $11 million in its Industrial Process (IP) sites in Obernkirchen, Germany, Vadodara, India, and Dammam, Saudi Arabia to increase its pump testing capabilities and expand the capacity of large project awards for its flow business. ITT’s Bornemann pumps site in Germany will be able to replicate field conditions using complete unit multiphase fluid testing, with a specialized focus on pump packages installed for global carbon capture and decarbonization applications.
