As the Mid-Atlantic region's renewable energy sector expands, particularly in hydrogen, renewable diesel (RD), renewable natural gas (RNG), Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), the demand for high-performance, reliable industrial pumps and compressors is increasing.
Sunair Co. provides the specialized pump and compressor equipment and 24/7 expert service facilities need to ensure safe, efficient, and continuous operation. Since 1974, we've been helping businesses in PA, NJ, DE, MD, DC, and WV meet their industrial processing needs.
Key takeaways:
Although recent changes to US government legislation cloud the near-term picture, the long-term trend for renewables remains bullish.
The shift toward renewable fuels is driven by a combination of factors aiming to build a more sustainable and secure energy future. Environmental concerns include the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as CO2 and methane to mitigate climate change, conservation of natural resources, and reduction of air and water pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide. Potential economic benefits include energy independence, job creation, and cost savings as economies of scale are reached. And technology and efficiency advancements, with growing grid coverage and storage capacity, are enabling the transition.
The wide variety of greenfield as well as bolt-on projects demand specialized process pumps and compressors engineered for reliable operation in challenging conditions.
Sunair's factory-authorized service capability, extending throughout eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., and eastern West Virginia, delivers both the specialized equipment and comprehensive long-term support these sophisticated facilities require. Our regional presence ensures rapid response times and intimate familiarity with local operating conditions and requirements.
New hydrogen production and storage facilities are being planned or built to support growing industrial applications, particularly in the manufacturing and transportation sectors.
Most hydrogen production plants today produce grey hydrogen, meaning they manufacture H2 using traditional steam methane reforming powered by natural gas without carbon capture. Blue hydrogen is similar to grey, except that it incorporates carbon capture and storage (CCS).
Green hydrogen is produced by using electricity from renewable energy sources (like solar, wind, or hydropower) to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis.
Pink hydrogen production, or water electrolysis powered by nuclear energy, is expected to grow robustly through the next decade as well, coinciding with resurgent interest in nuclear energy.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) accelerates the sunset date for Section 45V tax credits by 5 years compared to guidelines set forth in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), making it unavailable for projects starting construction after December 31, 2027. This significant change is likely to stifle the development of many projects, as it is sure to preclude those with later BOC dates from qualifying for the credits. But for projects that are further into development, it may accelerate their timeline to qualify for the credits.
Hydrogen processing presents unique challenges due to its small molecule size and high flammability and safety requirements. For these demanding applications, Sunair supplies Sundyne PPI diaphragm compressors engineered specifically for hydrogen service. These are ideal for high-pressure hydrogen applications.
These advanced systems offer critical performance specifications:
In liquid transfer applications within hydrogen processing facilities, HMD Kontro sealless magnetic drive pumps provide unmatched reliability and safety. These sealless pumps are crucial for preventing hydrogen leaks.
These systems deliver complete fluid containment and zero product emissions, handling flow rates up to 1420 gpm (320 m³/hr) across a broad temperature range from -40°F to 600°F (-40°C to 315°C) or wider for special cryogenic low temperature or extreme high temperature services.. HMD pumps meet all industrial regulations, including ISO, API, ASME, ANSI, DIN, and ATEX.
The elimination of mechanical seals significantly reduces maintenance requirements while enhancing operational safety. The absence of seals and seal support systems reduces the risk of leaks and lowers lifecycle costs.
Ammonia is one of the most commonly produced chemicals in the world. Ammonia or its upgraded products are used in fertilizers, as a refrigerant, for water treatment, emissions reduction of industrial processes, and the manufacture of chemicals, plastics, dyes, textiles, pesticides, and explosives.
Ammonia synthesis involves reacting a nitrogen molecule with three hydrogen molecules over a bed of catalysts at high pressures and relatively low temperatures to maximize ammonia yield, which is why the equipment must withstand these extreme conditions. This process requires high-pressure, low-temperature pumps.
The vast majority of ammonia that’s produced industrially today is called grey ammonia, as it uses hydrogen derived from natural gas feedstocks.
Blue ammonia is similar to grey, except that it uses blue hydrogen derived from methane reforming combined with CO2 capture.
Green ammonia uses H2 produced by electrolysis and N2 extracted from the atmosphere by an air separation unit (ASU), combining in a conventional ammonia
Green and blue ammonia hold promise to reduce global carbon emissions in a variety of important ways, including as a carrier for large quantities of hydrogen across long distances, a fuel source for engines as well as power plants, in fertilizer production, and as an industrial and manufacturing chemical feedstock.
Sundyne has worked with the world's largest ammonia producers, pioneering many of the technologies that are becoming more commonplace today. Sunair provides specialized Sundyne equipment designed specifically for these challenging applications.
Sundyne offers a comprehensive portfolio of pumps and compressors designed for green and blue ammonia production, including for ammonia synthesis, compressors for syngas, recycle gas, and refrigeration gas; and pumps for boiler feed water and ammonia. Other services in a complete process may include compressors for mole sieve regeneration, natural gas, CO2, H2 recycle, air, PSA regeneration, gas treatment, flare gas recovery, residual gas, and pumps for condensate, seawater, cooling water, wash water, demin water, corrosion inhibitors, amines, etc.
Sundyne pumps and compressors are fit for purpose with features like:
The LMV pump line and Marelli API 610 pumps, for instance, excel in critical services throughout ammonia production, delivering exceptional performance across all process requirements.
Sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel production involve processing stages requiring specialized equipment throughout the manufacturing process.
OBBBA keeps intact but modifies guidelines around Section 45Z for transportation fuels’ tax credit amounts and eligibility periods. For example, the duration is extended through 2029 but, for SAF, the credit is reduced to an amount equal to other renewable fuels. Additionally, eligible feedstocks are restricted to those sourced in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and certain foreign entities of concern (FEOC), like China and Russia, from directly or indirectly accessing the credits.
Made from non-petroleum feedstocks, SAF is an alternative fuel that reduces emissions caused by air transportation.
The establishment or expansion of sustainable aviation fuel production facilities near major regional airports represents a significant shift in aviation fuel infrastructure. These SAF facilities require reliable and efficient pumping solutions.
Additionally, renewable diesel processing plants are being developed to support the region's transportation infrastructure, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles and marine applications.
There are two primary mature pathways to produce SAF and RD.
In the Hydro-processed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) jet fuel process, non-petroleum renewable plant- or animal-based feedstocks are used to produce SAF, including food crops, municipal waste, woody biomass, and fats/greases/oils. Currently, ASTM-approved SAF can be blended at different levels with limits of 5% to 50%, depending on the feedstock and how the fuel is produced.
Realizing this amazing potential requires robust, sophisticated industrial pumps. These pumps must handle a variety of feedstocks and process fluids.
For instance, during the feedstock handling stage, pumps are required to transfer various feedstocks, including used cooking oil, vegetable oil, and animal fats, into the processing units. Feed pumps, such as OH6, BB2, and BB3, are used for transferring used cooking oil, vegetable oil, and animal fats.
During the pretreatment stage—before the main conversion processes—feedstocks require pretreatment, including water- and acid-degumming, water washing, bleaching, and deodorizing, to remove contaminants. Caustic pumps and citric acid pumps, typically HMD or Ansimag sealless pumps, are for transferring chemicals and water used during this process.
In hydrotreating operations, including hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), hydroisomerization, and hydrocracking (an additional step needed for SAF), high-pressure pump applications demand exceptional reliability and safety.
The Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) process uses iso-butanol or ethanol derived from sugary, starchy, and biomass feedstocks. ATJ converts alcohols into SAF and RD by first removing water (dehydration), then further processing the feedback through oligomerization and hydrogenation.
Both processes end with Fractionation, which separates the various finished products.
Sealless magnetic drive pumps handle toxic services with zero emissions, while API-compliant pump solutions ensure reliable operation in critical processes.
The separation processes integral to renewable fuel production rely on process pumps for efficient fractionation. As for specific pump recommendations for SAF processing, you should consider investing in the following:
Selecting equipment for renewable processing applications demands comprehensive evaluation across multiple critical factors to ensure safety, reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Each application presents unique challenges that require careful consideration of specific pump characteristics and capabilities.
Understanding process fluid properties forms the foundation of proper pump selection. For hazardous and corrosive liquids common in renewable applications, HMD Kontro metallic and Ansimag ETFE-lined sealless pumps provide total product containment. Ammonia processing, in particular, requires specialized materials of construction to withstand aggressive service conditions.
Operating conditions define equipment selection parameters. Sundyne integrally geared pumps excel in low flow-high head applications, while Marelli pumps deliver extreme reliability across a broad range of flow rates. Each pump can be tailored to operate at or near its Best Efficiency Point (BEP) to minimize energy consumption and reduce operating costs.
Equipment selection must prioritize compliance with relevant safety and environmental regulations. The sealless pump designs Sunair carries prevent leaks and emissions, enhancing operator safety and environmental protection. All equipment meets or exceeds industry standards, including API 610, ISO, ASME, ANSI, and ATEX requirements. Further, Sundyne PPI diaphragm compressors are sealless, ideally suited for leak-free handling of corrosive, hazardous, and high-pressure gases
Sundyne equipment demonstrates exceptional longevity, with service life typically reaching 30 years and some units operating beyond 50 years. Sealless pump designs, featuring fewer parts and no seal support systems, increase Mean Time Between Maintenance (MTBM) while reducing maintenance costs.
When evaluating total lifecycle costs, you must consider a few things:
Sunair's well-equipped 16,000-square-foot service center in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, serves as the hub of our regional support network. Our comprehensive service capabilities include:
Our service region encompasses: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., and West Virginia
This extensive regional presence ensures rapid response times and comprehensive support for all process equipment, backed by decades of experience in industrial applications.
For facilities investing in renewable fuel processing capabilities, proper equipment selection and ongoing support are critical for successful operations.
Sunair combines decades of regional experience with access to industry-leading Sundyne equipment designed specifically for these applications. Our technical expertise and comprehensive support infrastructure ensure optimal equipment performance throughout the entire lifecycle of your facility.
Contact Sunair today to speak with an expert about industrial pump solutions for your renewable fuel processing applications.