Liquid Gas Pumps

Liquid Gas Pumps for Safe and Efficient Hydrocarbon Transfer

Liquid Gas Pumps (LGP) are specialised centrifugal pumps designed to handle cryogenic hydrocarbons like propane, butane, propylene, and ethylene, as well as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). These hydrocarbons are pumped at extremely low temperatures, typically around -104°C for liquefied hydrocarbons and -161°C for LNG. At these temperatures, gases remain liquid; any temperature increase causes them to vaporise, which necessitates careful temperature control during pumping.

Due to the proximity to the boiling point, LGPs require low Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) designs to prevent cavitation. Inducers or submersible pumps are often used to ensure that the liquid is fully extracted, and magnetic couplings provide an effective seal to prevent gas leaks. This is crucial for safety, as any leak would release odourless gas, posing an ignition risk in confined areas and threatening health and safety.

As ships increasingly adopt LNG as a fuel to meet Emission Control Area (ECA) requirements, LGPs play a vital role, enabling up to a 21% reduction in emissions, supporting environmental compliance and promoting cleaner shipping practices.