Dutch Well Pumps
ATEX certification by DEKRA: “An organization we can count on”
Dutch Well Pumps (DWP) develops and manufactures cargo pumps for inland waterway tankers. These so-called deep-well pumps are installed deep within the cargo tank and are used to unload various types of liquid cargo. Because flammable and explosive substances may also be transported, explosion safety plays an important role. Together with DEKRA, DWP therefore completed an ATEX Zone 0 certification process.
Collaboration between Dutch Well Pumps and DEKRA
- Dutch Well Pumps develops and manufactures deepwell cargo pumps for inland tankers.
- For applications involving flammable and explosive substances, the pumps needed to be made suitable for ATEX Zone 0.
- DEKRA guided the certification process and provided specialist expertise in explosion safety and ATEX requirements.
- During the process, technical documentation, temperature measurements, sensors, and safety features were assessed.
Cargo Pumps for inland waterway shipping
Dutch Well Pumps currently focuses primarily on inland waterway shipping. The company develops and manufactures deep-well cargo pumps used to pump liquid cargo from the tanks of inland waterway vessels.
The pump itself is located at the bottom of the tank. From there, a long vertical shaft runs up to the electric motor on deck. The tank is designed so that the liquid flows to the lowest point, where the pump can discharge the cargo. This allows the tank to be pumped out as completely as possible.
DWP manufactures a large portion of the parts itself. The stainless steel parts are produced in-house, and DWP then assembles the complete pump. “It’s simply a Dutch product,” says Ab. “We make virtually all the parts ourselves and assemble the pumps entirely here.”
This approach gives DWP a great deal of control over the production process. Components can be precisely matched to one another, and the company can respond quickly when an adjustment is needed.
Safety in the middle of the cargo tank
It is precisely the pump’s location that makes explosion safety so important. An inland waterway tanker can carry various types of cargo, ranging from petroleum products to substances such as gasoline, naphtha, or jet fuel. With such products, an explosive atmosphere can develop inside the tank.
Because the pump is located directly in that area, it is important to prevent situations where, for example, heat generation or a potential ignition source could lead to a hazardous situation.
For the purposes of DWP, this meant that the pumps had to be made suitable for ATEX Zone 0. According to Ab, implementing this requirement had a significant impact on the design. Whereas the pump had originally been built without additional measurement and safety points, these features had to become an integral part of the entire system.
“We had to get used to that at first,” he says. “We were just making those pumps. Then those additional requirements came along, and we had to adapt. That’s what we did.”
DWP now supplies not only the pump but also the accompanying control and safety cabinet. This cabinet integrates various safety functions. For the company, this configuration has become the standard. “We now only supply our complete safety concept. As a manufacturer, we can fully stand behind it.”
In search of the right knowledge
When it became clear that the pumps had to meet the requirements for Zone 0, DWP had to determine, in a relatively short period of time, what technical modifications were necessary.
The company therefore began searching for a partner that could carry out the ATEX certification and contribute ideas regarding the technical requirements throughout the process. That search led DWP to DEKRA. At first, both parties had to become thoroughly familiar with each other’s products and working methods. DWP had extensive experience in designing and building the pumps. DEKRA, on the other hand, contributed its specialized knowledge of explosion safety and certification.
Using drawings and technical documentation, they examined, step by step, the requirements the pump had to meet. “We can make anything, but you have to know how,” Ab explains. “That’s where we need DEKRA’s expertise.”
Bringing technology and explosion safety together
Various technical issues were addressed during the certification process. For example, it was necessary to determine where temperatures should be measured.
A pump contains components that can become very hot during operation. Examples include rotating parts and seals. Simply measuring whether something is getting hot is not enough. The location of a measurement point and the way a measurement is taken are also important. According to Ab, DEKRA’s specialized knowledge came in very handy in this regard.
“During a project like this, you keep running into questions. Where should we take measurements? Where should a sensor be placed? How exactly should we do that? That’s where we needed DEKRA’s expertise.”
DWP then developed the technical details of the solutions. Whenever a change was made, DEKRA could review it again to ensure it met the requirements. According to Ab, this back-and-forth was an important part of the process.
“You do that together. By now, we’re also gaining a better understanding of what we need to keep in mind during the design process.”
Because DWP was already manufacturing the pumps and was facing a specific deadline, speed was of the essence. Drawings, technical information, and modifications therefore had to be submitted and reviewed quickly. DWP invested a great deal of time in gathering and compiling the necessary information so that the certification process could continue.
Ultimately, the company succeeded in obtaining Zone 0 certification. According to Ab, this meant that DWP was an early entrant in the market with a certified solution. For customers looking for pumps that met the new requirements, this offered a clear advantage.
For DWP, the certification was more than just a technical achievement. Without a solution that meets the applicable requirements, the company cannot continue to supply these pumps for the relevant applications. As a result, explosion safety became an integral part of both the product and its further development.
An accessible partnership
In addition to the technical expertise, DWP looks back positively on how the collaboration with DEKRA went. Although DEKRA is a large organization as a Notified Body, DWP finds the day-to-day collaboration to be personal and approachable. “DEKRA is a large company, but it doesn’t feel that way to us. If we’re unsure about something, we can ask our questions and receive a thorough answer.”
The DEKRA expert in question has been visiting DWP for several years now. As a result, he has gained not only knowledge of the ATEX requirements, but also of DWP’s specific technology and work methods. According to Ab, this makes it easier to discuss new questions or adjustments together.
We find DEKRA to be approachable and reliable. It’s an organization we can count on.
Ab Troost, Senior Account Manager at Dutch Well Pumps
Safety as an integral part of the product
The ATEX Zone 0 version is now fully integrated into Dutch Well Pumps’ product concept. DWP has chosen to continue manufacturing the pump in this safe version, even when a specific customer does not immediately require all components of the certification. This prevents the company from developing multiple versions side by side and ensures that the technical foundation remains the same for every pump.
For now, the focus is primarily on inland waterway transport. DWP has established a strong position in this sector, and demand for its pumps is high. In the longer term, the company also sees opportunities in maritime shipping. This will require additional technical developments. DWP does not intend to take that step until the company is fully prepared for it, both technically and organizationally.
That approach aligns with the company’s perspective on explosion safety: first ensure that the technology is sound, then continue to grow.
