Suction Header with two different elevations
Suction Header with two different elevations
(OP)
In a production facility, the existing Overhead suction header (elevation: 9 ft) needs to be extended to accommodate two new pumps. The new pumps are bigger in size and to accommodate the valves and fittings the extended header is to be elevated by two feet (elevation: 11 ft). In other words the suction header will be 50% 9ft and 50% at 11 ft elevation. I have a feeling that the elevated header may develop gas pockets that can cause problem for the new pumps. The same case is with discharge header, which goes to metering skid. Your comments please





RE: Suction Header with two different elevations
RE: Suction Header with two different elevations
RE: Suction Header with two different elevations
Is the suction header the high-point in elevation of the system? It may be necessary to vent the higher suction header to avoid any entrainment of air into pumpage (if this is a concern).
are there any issues to address about balancing the flows with/without the 2 different suction header elevations through each pump (assuming parallel operation)? Without knowing flows and pressures, this may very well be a primary concern.
something to think about . . .
good luck!
-pmover
RE: Suction Header with two different elevations
pmover, It would have been great to make a new Header and set at new elevation but there are number of constraints w.r.t prodution, time, space and welding etc. To your second point, NO the header is not at the the high-point in elevation of the system. In response to third point, there is no balancing problem but in an offshore plateform one alway have sapce problem and system shutdown is a big hue and cry.....
Thanks gentlemen for your valued input.
RE: Suction Header with two different elevations
The pump Centerline should be kept at or above the suction line, with suction pipe flat or continuously rising. This will be easy to do with an end-suction pump, but not with some types of between bearing pumps.