Cryogenic pump test centre inaugurated in France

The centre, which the company says is the world’s largest liquid nitrogen test facility, is housed in a 30m x 40m building, 13m high. It is equipped with a 200,000 litre liquid nitrogen tank, and is capable of running several tests at the same time.

At the opening of the centre, those present were able to see two simultaneous tests of a reciprocating HPP pump triplex model on one line, and a large vertical centrifugal VP 6/310 pump with six stages and 310mm size impeller on another line. Three test lines operate on a dual line principle, so a test can be carried out on one line while the second is cooling down. Using liquid nitrogen as coolant, it can take around three hours for a large vertical pump to reach cryogenic temperature, so the opportunity for cooling and testing to be carried out separately increases testing productivity.

The centre is staffed by over 30 technicians and engineers, and has a 2MW power capacity.