【Ten Years of Rapid Development in Chemical Processing Equipment】649-2022: The First Domestic and International Test Bench for LNG-Medium Low-Temperature Pumps and Valves

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Witnessing the decade-long rapid development of chemical processing equipment; praising the prosperity and strength of modern China. Replies will be rewarded – discussions are welcome. ------------------------------------------- On December 1, 2022, the China General Machinery Industry Association, in collaboration with **Pipeline Network Group’s LNG receiving station management company, held an evaluation meeting in Beijing, Shanghai and other locations, using a combination of video conferences and on-site sessions. The meeting was focused on the prototype models of the “Domestic low-pressure pumps for LNG receiving stations (CTSV460-289)” and “High-pressure export pumps for LNG receiving stations (CMSV435-2342)”, which were developed jointly by Shanghai XXX Machinery Co., Ltd. and **Pipeline Network Dalian LNG Co., Ltd. It also covered the “LNG medium low-temperature pump and valve testing platform”, which was developed in partnership with Ningxia Nali Feng Energy Utilization Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The evaluation meeting was chaired by Huang Li, president of the China General Machinery Industry Association. Sui Yongbin, former chief engineer of the China Machinery Industry Federation, served as the head of the expert panel for the evaluation. The panel was composed of experts from organizations such as the China Machinery Industry Federation, Dalian LNG, Jingtan LNG, Huanqiu Engineering, Jiangsu LNG, Nanshan (Shandong) LNG, CNOOC Oil & Gas Power, Qingdao LNG, Shanghai LNG, Hudong Shipbuilding, Huaying LNG, Huadian Ganyu LNG, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University; in addition, representatives from end-users, research institutes, and universities also attended the meeting. The experts present listened to the summary report on the development efforts and reviewed the technical documents. Before the meeting, representative experts visited the sites where the prototype was manufactured and tested, and witnessed the operational tests of the test bench using LNG as the medium. Following inquiries and discussions, the expert group reached the following conclusion: By incorporating features such as high-power (2100kW) motors for ultra-low temperature conditions, efficient hydraulic models with extremely low net positive suction head, and an axial force self-balancing mechanism, high-pressure transfer pumps can operate stably and reliably in ultra-low temperature environments. The overall performance indicators have reached an internationally advanced level, with certain indicators such as efficiency and vibration being at the international leading level ； The low-pressure pump inside the tank has developed electromagnetic design methods, material insulation techniques, manufacturing processes, as well as inspection and testing methods; its key performance indicators have reached the advanced level of similar foreign products ； It is the first domestic and international test bench for low-temperature pump and valve systems operating with LNG as the working medium, designed and built independently. Equipped with an advanced subcooling system, it enables the recovery and reuse of LNG during testing, and can meet the requirements for testing the performance, cavitation, start-up and shutdown characteristics, operation at minimum liquid levels, vibration, and noise of various low-temperature pumps, as well as other tests related to low-temperature equipment. Its key performance indicators have reached an advanced level comparable to those of international devices of similar kind; it has solved the testing challenges associated with using LNG as a medium in large-scale cryopumps, and it holds great significance for advancing the research, development, and testing of cryopump valves and other cryogenic equipment.