Overview
ISO 22547:2021 - Ships and marine technology - Performance test procedures for high‑pressure pumps in LNG fuel gas supply systems (FGSS) for ships - defines standardized test methods to verify mechanical and hydraulic performance of high‑pressure positive displacement pumps used to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) as marine fuel. The standard covers test arrangement, test fluids, measurement parameters, performance test sequences, and additional tests (unit, type, endurance, overhaul, vibration and noise) to ensure safe, repeatable verification of pump performance under cryogenic conditions.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and applicability: Applies to positive displacement pumps in shipboard FGSS to assess mechanical features and auxiliary devices.
- Test arrangement & preparation: Requires a controlled supply of cryogenic test fluid to the pump inlet, pre‑test inspections, and review of manufacturer data by the client.
- Test fluid: LNG is the preferred medium; colder alternatives (e.g., liquefied nitrogen) may be used if practical with correction values (per ISO 6976 or equivalent).
- Measured parameters: At minimum, pressure, temperature and flow rate. Sensors must be calibrated and located as close to the pump as practicable; data recorded at 5‑minute intervals during each load step.
- Performance metrics:
- Total pressure: determined from discharge minus suction pressure.
- Total efficiency: defined as the ratio of theoretical hydraulic power to actual pump input power (measured from motor torque/rev speed).
- Test procedure: Includes precooling to cryogenic temperatures, temperature stabilization, and staged load steps (25%, 50%, 75%, 100% of test flow rate with hold times) with recorded data for each step.
- Additional tests: Unit production, type testing, optional endurance testing, overhaul inspection; pressure testing at 1.5× design pressure for production tests, and vibration/noise testing in accordance with ISO 10816‑6 and ISO 1996‑1.
- Documentation: A detailed test report is required (pump ID, manufacturer, serial no., test conditions, fluid, results, tester) with an Annex A example report.
Applications and users
ISO 22547 is used by:
- Pump manufacturers and test facilities for factory acceptance and type certification.
- Shipbuilders and naval architects specifying FGSS components.
- Classification societies, flag states and regulatory bodies auditing compliance with IGC/IGF Codes.
- Shipowners, operators and procurement teams validating pump performance, reliability and safety in LNG‑fuelled vessels.
- Third‑party testing laboratories performing cryogenic pump verification.
Keywords: ISO 22547, LNG fuel gas supply systems, FGSS, high‑pressure pumps, performance test procedures, positive displacement pumps, cryogenic pump testing, pump efficiency.
Related standards
- ISO 10816‑6 - mechanical vibration (reciprocating machines)
- ISO 1996‑1 - environmental noise measurement
- ISO 6976 - gas calorific value/corrections (referenced for test fluid corrections)
- IGC Code and IGF Code - ship safety requirements for liquefied gases and low‑flashpoint fuels