01 September 2024

Continuous cooling is essential for the operation of the Porthos network

In April, Aannemingsbedrijf Van der Ven started the realisation of initially the relocation of the seaport quay and then the preparation for the construction of the cooling water pump building, as parts of the Porthos project. As one of the five main contractors, Van der Ven is playing an important role in the realisation of this part of the infrastructure that will ensure the CO₂ reduction of the Rotterdam industry. Martijn Bot, technical manager at Van der Ven, emphasises the importance of this project component: ‘The cooling water pump building provides continuous cooling for the compressors. So an essential component for the success of this special project.’

At the compressor station on the Second Maasvlakte, the land pipelines that supply the CO2 at low pressure converge. Three compressors raise the pressure to a maximum of 130 bar for further transport to the platform at sea. This process releases a huge amount of heat. Keeping the compressors operational requires constant cooling. Bot: ‘The realisation of a CCS project has already been successfully applied in Scandinavia, and now for the first time in this way in the Netherlands. It is therefore an honour to play a role in this.’

Multidisciplinary project
As for the cooling water pump building, Van der Ven’s expertise is to develop the design into an integral and execution-ready plan, bringing together all disciplines – marine, civil, structural and mechanical. Civil engineering and maritime construction come together in this part of the Porthos project. That is then joined by mechanical engineering and electrical installations. Bot explains: ‘Our broad expertise under one roof is our strength as a total contractor. This requires precise coordination and mutual alignment between the various components of this project.’

Complexity in cohesion
‘It is precisely this complex cohesion of all these aspects that makes this project special for us. We are not applying any new techniques, but the mutual coordination is crucial. The experience of coordinating all these disciplines makes this project a perfect fit for us.’

Sustainability and innovation
A nice detail in the project is the fish-friendly machine that filters the seawater. It illustrates a concern for nature. ‘Small fish that cannot swim against the current are caught and led back into the harbour via a kind of chute,’ says Bot.

Planning
The first phase of Van der Ven’s work included the construction of a quay wall on Maasvlakte 2, which was recently completed. The next step is the construction of the cooling water pump building and installation of the necessary equipment. ‘We expect to start the actual construction this summer and aim to deliver the cooling water pump building by the end of 2025,’ Bot said.

Contribution to sustainable future
Bot concludes with a meaningful remark: ‘Porthos is an important step towards CO₂ reduction. Although we cannot yet fully rely on renewable fuels, we want to take sustainable steps. With this work, we are directly contributing to the CO₂ reduction of the Rotterdam industry and thus to a sustainable future.’