Ruhrpumpen delivers pumps with emissions containment system for the Dominion Cove Point LNG terminal

25 February, 2016

Kiewit and joint venture partner IHI were awarded an EPC contract for the Cove Point LNG Export Project which involves construction of liquefaction facilities for exporting LNG. The new plant will open international markets for the Marcellus and Utica shale plays, two of the most prolific natural gas basins in North America, providing a total liquefaction capacity of 5.25 Million Tons per Annum. Ruhrpumpen worked closely with IHI Kiewit to meet very tight schedules demanded by the project and delivered pumps based on its proven API 674 3rd edition RDP 70 triplex plunger pump that could be installed within a plant that was constructed around the Ruhrpumpen design.

Sensitive location

A further challenge presented by the LNG terminal is its sensitive environmental location within the extensive 1000-acre nature reserve that surrounds Cove Point. The pumps will be transporting the extremely volatile and flammable liquid Isopentane, and so to meet the stringent environmental requirements Ruhrpumpen supplied the pumps with its proprietary emission containment system. This performs the triple function of lubricating the seals in the stuffing box whilst preventing the escape of the pumped media to atmosphere. In addition, integrated condition monitoring instrumentation provides advanced warning in case intervention or maintenance is required.

The pumps must also respond to varying demands within the plant and so Ruhrpumpen specified a motor configured to operate with a variable frequency drive which allows the speed of the pump to be closely controlled. In many cases such a drive is supplied by the client but in this instance IHI Kiewit wanted a turnkey solution, so Ruhrpumpen assumed this responsibility as part of the overall package.

Compliance

Simon Watteau, managing director of the Ruhrpumpen reciprocating plunger pumps business, said: “Our engineering team had to pay close attention to every detail of the design and integration of sub-components to ensure the whole package complied with US standards. This attention to detail enabled an on-time delivery and our communication, guidance and continued support and close working relationship with IHI Kiewit were significant contributory factors that led to this successful conclusion.”

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