Naniwa Pump manufactures ultra-lightweight CFRP pump
July 30, 2020 - Japan
Naniwa Pump Mfg Co has manufactured an ultra-lightweight pump made of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics. The high durability marine pump has been supplied for the Kawasaki Heavy Industry built Jet Foil “Seven Islands Yui”. The development of the pump was supported by a grant from The Nippon Foundation and the Japan Ship Machinery and Equipment Association.
The “Seven Islands Yui” will operate for passenger transport on routes between Takeshiba (Tokyo) and the Izu Island area. Tokai Kisen and Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency have jointly ordered the construction of this vessel based on a 25-year-old design.
The development of the CFRP pump was supported by a grant – initiated in 2014 – from The Nippon Foundation and the Japan Ship Machinery and Equipment Association. The grant was established specifically for advancing the technology to develop pumps made of lightweight composite materials.
Upon learning of this newbuilding project Naniwa Pump Mfg Co proposed replacing the “traditional” aluminium pump by its newly developed CFRP model. It is ultra-light – one fourth (1/4) the weight of standard bronze cast pumps commonly in use for seagoing vessels. Durability and maintainability of the CFRP pump cannot be matched by the aluminium model, previously installed on Kawasaki’s Jet Foil series.
Repeated and numerous component tests confirmed achieving the desired pressure resistance and durability, capable of withstanding the most severe usage environment. A two-year development effort in close cooperation with Kawasaki Heavy Industry as well as the vessels operator Tokai Kisen Co was crowned by the vessels delivery on June 30, 2020.
The “Seven Islands Yui” will operate for passenger transport on routes between Takeshiba (Tokyo) and the Izu Island area. Tokai Kisen and Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency have jointly ordered the construction of this vessel based on a 25-year-old design.
The development of the CFRP pump was supported by a grant – initiated in 2014 – from The Nippon Foundation and the Japan Ship Machinery and Equipment Association. The grant was established specifically for advancing the technology to develop pumps made of lightweight composite materials.
Upon learning of this newbuilding project Naniwa Pump Mfg Co proposed replacing the “traditional” aluminium pump by its newly developed CFRP model. It is ultra-light – one fourth (1/4) the weight of standard bronze cast pumps commonly in use for seagoing vessels. Durability and maintainability of the CFRP pump cannot be matched by the aluminium model, previously installed on Kawasaki’s Jet Foil series.
Repeated and numerous component tests confirmed achieving the desired pressure resistance and durability, capable of withstanding the most severe usage environment. A two-year development effort in close cooperation with Kawasaki Heavy Industry as well as the vessels operator Tokai Kisen Co was crowned by the vessels delivery on June 30, 2020.