Micro-metering pumps meet demand for efficient gas odorisation solutions

LEWA has added two new model sizes to its range of micro-metering pumps to offer a wider choice of flow and pressure combinations, enabling more effective and cost efficient gas odorisation. The new pumps have been developed in response to increasing market demand for smaller units that address a wider range of flow rates and operating pressures.

Odorisation involves adding a strongly smelling chemical to otherwise odourless gases and is an essential safety requirement in many industries and gas distribution grids. Micro-metering pumps are key to the odorization process. They are used to add an intense odorant to flammable gases, such as natural gas, liquified petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and biogas, as they are being fed into a gas distribution network or trucks, railway tank cars or LPG and LNG vessels. Micro-metering pumps are also used to odorise oxygen, hydrogen and other critical industrial gases. Adding a distinctive smell ensures that any gas leaks are detected quickly, protecting people and property in industrial, commercial, and domestic settings.

Walter Richter, Head of Sales Odorization & Gas Distribution at LEWA, explains: “Efficient odorisation involves very precise dosing with minute quantities of chemicals, so selecting a pump to match the application’s flow rate and discharge pressure is critical to success. Traditionally, operators found that a pump suitable for the required flow rate did not deliver enough pressure, and vice versa. This leads to increased odorisation costs due to pump oversizing and can cause poor injection accuracy. By introducing the MAH4 and MBH6 micro-metering pumps with new piston sizes, we can offer a wider selection of flow and pressure combinations, enabling more effective and cost-efficient odorization with higher accuracy.”

LEWA’s portfolio includes four ranges of hydraulically actuated micro-metering pumps – the MAH, MBH, MLM15 and MLM40 series – that deliver flow rates from 10ml/h to 55l/h (0.0026gph to 14.5gph) and accommodate pressures up to 560barg (8122psig). The new 16-barg (232psig) MAH4 sits alongside the 20-25barg (290 – 362psig) MAH3, enabling utility companies and network operators to meet the pressure requirements commonly found in international natural gas networks, which use PN16 pressure class pipelines. The new MBH6 fulfils customer requirements for a more compact and powerful micro-metering pump that covers up to 0.6l/h at 42barg (0.16 gph at 609psig).

Like all LEWA micro-metering pumps, the MAH4 and MBH6 feature a metal diaphragm and solenoid drive available for hazardous environments. These pumps are not only leak-proof but also entirely odorant fluid diffusion-tight, preventing contamination and potentially costly false alarms. Their sturdy, dry-run safe design ensures they will not sustain damage from extreme operating conditions or operator error. A wide control range of up to 1:1000 allows LEWA micro-metering pumps to meet the most stringent requirements for sensitive metering tasks like odorisation. Their high energy efficiency, low operating and maintenance costs, and exceptionally long operational life ensure a low total cost of ownership.

Walter Richter concludes: “Optimal performance and low operating costs result from a fully engineered, proven solution. The new additions to our micro-metering range represent far more than a simple scaling of the existing pump assemblies. We subjected the new MAH4 and MBH6 designs to field tests, cold and pressure tests to ensure they will deliver optimal functionality and safety throughout their service life.”

LEWA micro-metering pumps comply with standards such as DVGW G280 and are explosion-protected up to EX-Zone 1.