Vanzetti Engineering (凡泽特工程) has launched the new ESK-IMO series of retractable submerged pumps. This pump can be used in small-scale LNG terminals and also serves as an emergency pump or /stripping pump in the maritime sector. The ESK-IMO pump offers the advantage of easy maintenance, eliminating the need for tank drainage and refilling.
March 2024, Cavallerleone – Vanzetti Engineering (凡泽特工程) introduced the ESK-IMO series of retractable submerged pumps, with a flow rate range of 70-500 cubic meters per hour and a maximum head of 240 meters, expanding the company’s product portfolio.
The entire hydraulic and mechanical components of the ESK-IMO pump are derived from the ARTIKA series, thus its reliability and quality are already well-recognized in the market.
The ESK-IMO series is primarily used in the industrial sector for small-scale LNG terminals with an annual throughput of less than 1 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum), and in the maritime sector as an emergency pump or /stripping pump, used to empty tanks when the main pump fails /or requires maintenance.
Compared to the ARTIKA series, which is directly installed at the bottom of the tank or inside the cryostat, the ESK-IMO retractable pump is installed within a column that is isolated from the rest of the tank by a bottom valve. This way, the LNG remains contained in the tank outside the column, and the pump can be extracted simply by opening the cover at the top of the column.
The new retractable submerged pump series from Vanzetti Engineering comes equipped with all necessary accessories for operation: bottom valve, column top cover, cables required for lifting the pump and removing it from the tank, and electrical connections. An optional vibration monitoring system is also available for displaying and alerting any faults.
A key feature of the ESK-IMO retractable pump is that tank emptying is not required for maintenance. Considering the long maintenance cycles (over 25 years) for tanks in small-scale LNG terminals, this is a significant added value. Since the pump’s maintenance cycle is typically shorter than the tank’s, the ability to disassemble and maintain the pump without shutting down the tank is a major advantage, making the maintenance process faster and easier for both users and the terminal itself. Furthermore, all potential associated risks are avoided.
In the maritime sector, the ESK-IMO series offers greater maintenance flexibility, allowing for the emptying of atmospheric tanks (working pressure less than 1 bar) to perform maintenance on the tank itself or the installed pump. Additionally, when extracting the ESK-IMO pump from the column, it does not require a large overhead space within the tank (a characteristic compatible with typically confined environments below deck).
The small-scale LNG terminal and maritime markets are experiencing unprecedented growth, particularly in the Americas and Southeast Asia. These segments are becoming major drivers of the global energy and maritime transition. With the continuous growth in demand for alternative energy and increasing pressure to reduce emissions, terminals have proven to be a flexible solution for delivering LNG where it is needed, especially in the industrial, commercial, civil, and shipping sectors. Simultaneously, the LNG shipping market is also growing significantly. LNG-fueled vessels offer an alternative to traditional fuels, helping to reduce emissions to comply with increasingly stringent regulations, which in turn generates growing demand for port infrastructure and dedicated terminals.
This virtuous cycle is driving rapid and sustained growth in these two fields, which is expected to expand further in the near future. It is within this context that the new ESK-IMO series has been launched.
