ATEX Centrifugal Pump for an Offshore Diesel Engine Cooling System

When our partner Broadland Radiators was asked to design a new diesel engine cooling system for an offshore oil rig in the North Sea, the equipment needed to operate reliably under some particularly demanding conditions.

The new system required increased cooling capacity, ATEX Zone 1 compliance and the ability to withstand ambient temperatures ranging from -30°C to +40°C. Its design also needed to address the challenges of safely transporting the equipment offshore.

As part of the complete cooling system, CDR Pumps was asked to provide an ATEX-rated centrifugal pump capable of continuously recirculating the cooling fluid while meeting the requirements of the offshore environment.

This week we want to talk to you about an ATEX rated diesel engine cooling system for offshore oil rigs in the North Sea.

Pumping Cooling Fluid in an ATEX Offshore Environment

Continuous circulation of cooling fluid is essential to prevent the diesel engine from overheating, making reliable pump operation an important part of the overall cooling system.

A TCH mechanically sealed centrifugal pump was selected to provide the continuous cooling fluid circulation required by the system.

Manufactured in stainless steel with a stainless-steel bearing bracket, the pump provided the corrosion resistance required for the offshore environment while also being suitable for operation across the wide range of ambient temperatures specified for the installation.

The pump motor was also selected to withstand ambient temperatures as low as -30°C and to meet the requirements of the ATEX Zone 1 installation.

Part of a Complete Cooling System

Broadland Radiators incorporated the TCH pump into a newly designed cooling system that also included a new radiator and ATEX-compliant electric fans.

Transportation was another important consideration. Offshore equipment can be exposed to significant handling demands during transit and installation, so Broadland Radiators also designed a specialist lifting frame to protect the system and enable it to be transported safely.

The resulting system combined the increased cooling capacity required by the customer with equipment suitable for the challenging operating and environmental conditions of a North Sea offshore installation.

The completed cooling system was designed to meet the safety and compliance requirements of the offshore application, incorporating ATEX-compliant equipment within a DNV-compliant frame. The project was also delivered within the requirements of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards.

For an offshore installation in the North Sea, where safety, reliability and environmental conditions are critical considerations, the project demonstrates the importance of specifying every component as part of the complete engineered system.

Supporting OEM Pump Requirements

CDR Pumps works closely with OEMs to specify fluid-handling equipment that can be incorporated into their own systems and supplied to their customers as part of a complete engineered solution.

If you need to incorporate a pump into an OEM system or equipment package, contact the CDR Pumps team on 01933 674777 or sales@cdrpumps.co.uk to discuss your requirements.