Pump Contract for MARS Tanker - Logistic Support Ship
Following many months of dialogue with BMT Naval Architects the initial purchase enquiry for the supply of pumps and systems for the 4 new logistic support ships for the U.K RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) was received from the Korean Shipyard DSME.
The centrifugal pump package for these vessels includes pumps for Cooling Systems, pumps for Ballast Systems, Fire Systems, Chilled and Hot Water Systems, all in ductile material, namely Nodular Cast Iron for freshwater applications and Nickel-Aluminum-Bronze for seawater applications. All pumps supplied are fitted with ABB electrical motors which are manufactured to Naval standards.
The helicopter refueling systems consist of two units: In the ship’s hull, the pump and filtration system is placed, which will serve the purpose of transferring and filtering the aviation fuel when being pumped from one tank to the other, or from the tank and up into the dispensing system, which is placed in the hanger onboard the vessels. The dispensing system in the hanger will be connected by a hose to the helicopter. During refueling the volume of fuel is measured, and the supply pressure is controlled automatically to avoid overfilling and to improve the safety during operation.
The complete system is approved by Marine Classification and suitable for installation in hazardous areas where the atmosphere can have a potentially dangerous high concentration of hydrocarbons. The control of the system is carried out by a fully integrated control system, which is designed by DESMI Automation.
DESMI Automation is normally known for the DESMI OptiSaveTM system which is designed to save energy and money on running cooling pumps onboard commercial as well as navy ships.
The cargo pumps operate as a separate identity, because of the arrangement onboard the ship. The purpose of these pumps is to transfer fuel (both aviation and diesel) and fresh water from the Logistic Support Ship through the “replenishment at sea” system (RAS) onto the receiving navy ship which requires replenishment supplies without going into harbour for refueling. The arrangement of the cargo pumps inside the ship is made with a ‘Cardan’ shaft, connecting the electrical motor which is located on the first deck via a gas tight deck penetration sealing arrangement to the cargo pump standing in the cargo pump room below. By using this arrangement the electrical motor can be in a non-hazardous zone, while the pump is installed in a hazardous area. Due to potential wild heat emitted from electric motors these motors are water-cooled and not air-cooled as most ship based electrical motors are. The cooling water is obtained from the ships fresh water ring main system.
The diesel driven emergency fire pump was originally ordered by the shipyard, and was fully designed by DESMI fit for installation onboard the Logistic support ships. But on a late stage after the contract signing, the technical specifications changed to an electrically driven vertical inline pump in a fully shock capable design, which is a specialty by DESMI.
DESMI recognizes that the world of shipbuilding, in particularly that of specialized Naval Vessels is both dynamic and challenging for all parties involved. Therefore, when specifications ad resultant scope of supply change DESMI is there to adapt to the revised requirements to make sure that the customer gets what they want, when they want it!
