ATEX Triplex Plunger Pumps for MEG Injection in Green Hydrogen Production

The Project

Recently North Ridge Pumps tackled a project for a client who was looking for 3 High Pressure Pumps to be used for a mixture of Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) and Water at pressures over 40 Bar and flows up to 300L per minute.

Mono Ethylene Glycol (also known as MEG) is typically used as a component of coolants, antifreeze, and de-icers as well as in the manufacture of polyester fibres. In this case, MEG is being used in the process of producing Green Hydrogen, which is a more efficient method of production in terms of cost and environmental protection.

Pumps being used within a Hydrogen plant are required to be ATEX rated due to the presence of gasses and other environmental hazards and be suitable for extended operation over long periods of time.

With all this taken into considering, it’s quite a tough project to undertake! Fortunately for the client, it’s something North Ridge Pumps specialise in. So, what was the solution?

The Solution

We specified and supplied 3 CAT Triplex Plunger Pumps in AISI 316 Stainless Steel, with the head driven via a speed reducing belt drive transmission system. The unit was mounted on a steel baseplate, with the belt protected by an AntiSparking Brass Coupling Guard.

Due to the location of the motor an IP65 rated 22Kw motor was selected which was ATEX rated to EXd IIb T4. We always recommend that triplex plunger pumps are used in conjunction with a regulator and relief valve.

The Reason

So why was this pump picked? Triplex Plunger pumps are designed differently to piston designs in that the plunger slides back and forth within a stuffing box which controls the working volume as opposed to a piston sliding back and forth within a hollow cylinder. Triplex Plunger designs are suited for higher pressures than that of piston models and meet the pressure metrics needed, that suits two of the requirements.

A regulator valve sets and maintains consistent system pressure. In applications where process flow is abruptly stopped such as in trigger gun applications, it helps maintain the desired system pressure with flow via a bypass port, improving safety and maintenance.

A relief or unloading valve protects a system from over pressurisation protecting components and pipework. If pressure spike occurs (flow in outlet pipe stopped) low flow of low-pressure flow to cycle reducing wear on components, essential for the environment the pump will be in.

With this pump configuration every key specific is met. ATEX requirements, uninterrupted long operation, pressure, and volume handling metrics met and above all reliability in a trusted design.

The Conclusion

With the pumps on their way to their new home and likely busy at work by the time this article is wrote, it’s hard to say what our world will look like in 10, 20 or 50 years, but one can be certain. These 3 Cats’ will still be doing their job without hitch, just as they did on day 1.

We’ll be staying up to date on this project as we dive deeper into a case study with the on-going findings from the project over the years. If you have a project yourself or need technical advice. North Ridge Pumps are only a quick, email, phone call or online message away!