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Pumps power life support systems in submarines

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 24, 2006

Hayward Tyler Fluid Handling has recently supplied a number of canned motor pumps to Wellman Defence for installation into life support systems, as used onboard naval submarines.

Hayward Tyler Fluid Handling has recently supplied a number of canned motor pumps to Wellman Defence for installation into life support systems, as used onboard naval submarines.

This recent contract is the latest of many between the two companies which over the last 40 years has seen hundreds of Hayward Tyler canned motor pumps installed into Wellman Defence life support systems for various navies around the world.

Hayward Tyler canned motor pumps are both safe and reliable but additionally they are small and compact.

This latter feature is of significant importance for this type of application and is just one of many reasons for selecting Hayward Tyler canned motor pumps.

There are two basic modules which combined provide the basis of the Wellman Defence life support systems.

First there are the low pressure electrolysers or LPEs, that produce oxygen (air for the crew) at ambient pressure by the process of electrolysis of seawater.

And secondly there are the carbon dioxide scrubbers or MPTs, which use a regenerable chemical absorbent to remove carbon dioxide (expelled in the crew's breath) continuously from the submarine's atmosphere.

At the heart of both of these modules are Hayward Tyler canned motor pumps that are specially designed and built to meet the stringent demands of such defence systems, with all work being carried out by key Hayward Tyler personnel who have the qualifications and experience for such work.

Compliance with relevant NATO specifications is a prerequisite and throughout their manufacture the pumps are subject to stringent quality checks including radiography and helium gas leak detection on key welds, dynamic balancing of the rotating element to the highest specification, noise and vibration testing to ensure build quality meets with critical operational requirements and an extended performance test.

These tests are carried out at our purpose built test facility and are often witnessed by the quality assurance representative (QAR) of the client.

In addition, Hayward Tyler canned motor pumps have undergone rigorous endurance testing by various defence authorities, including shock testing to 30g to simulate attack conditions.

Hayward Tyler's 40 years of trading with Wellman Defence is a significant achievement for the company and a demonstration of the reliability and versatility of their special canned motor pumps.

Ben Martin, Proposals and Contracts Engineer of Wellman Defence, stated: "Wellman Defence has used Hayward Tyler canned motor pumps on all of its oxygen generating electrolysis plants and MPT carbon-dioxide scrubbers for nuclear submarines for both the UK MoD and overseas navies".

"Clearly for the duty prescribed, the plants have to meet a demanding specification and be totally reliable".

"We are pleased to confirm that Hayward Tyler pumps have met and continue to meet all of our requirements thereby enabling us to meet those of our customers".

"Wellman Defence, along with Hayward Tyler, are extremely proud that our working relationship is now in its 40th year and have no doubt that the relationship will continue long into the future".

Paul Noble, Managing Director of Hayward Tyler Fluid Handling Division in Glasgow, commented: "We are as enthusiastic today about the opportunity to provide Wellman Defence with canned motor pumps for these high integrity systems, as we were when we supplied the first units some 40 years ago".

"Although the design and manufacturing processes used in their construction has changed significantly over the years, our employees' attention to maintaining the highest quality standards remains the same and I believe that it is for this reason that we have and will continue to enjoy such an excellent working relationship with Wellman Defence".