Triplex pump in series with a ... ?
Triplex pump in series with a ... ?
(OP)
Hi everyone, I'm trying to figure out the feasibility of addressing this particular problem. I am far from an expert when it comes to pumps so thank you in advance for putting up with any stupid questions.
The simplified version is that there is a triplex pump taking fluid from one storage tank and pumping it through several thousand feet of pipe into another storage tank (which is actually located very close to the first tank). The majority of this 'pipeline' is essentially inaccessible, the beginning and end of the line are the only parts open to modification. The triplex pump is limited to 4,000 psi regardless of liner size. The flowrate is limited to 200 GPM because at higher flowrates, the pressure drop across the entire system exceeds that 4,000 psi limit.
I'd like to be able to increase the flowrate to at least 250 GPM but at a bare minimum cost (surprise!). I haven't done the math but let's assume this would increase the pressure drop by 800-1,000 psi. This spawned the idea of adding a smaller pump in series with the existing triplex. I only have the beginning and end of the line to play with but any additional pump would have to be downstream of the triplex due to inlet pressure restrictions.
My initial thought was to use a rotary PDP immediately downstream of the triplex (with some sort of buffer in between) but this additional pump would need to be capable of an internal pressure of up to 5,000 psi even though the actual differential across it would only be 1,000 psi right? Is there any other obvious solution that I'm missing here? Thanks for the help everyone.
-Tommy
The simplified version is that there is a triplex pump taking fluid from one storage tank and pumping it through several thousand feet of pipe into another storage tank (which is actually located very close to the first tank). The majority of this 'pipeline' is essentially inaccessible, the beginning and end of the line are the only parts open to modification. The triplex pump is limited to 4,000 psi regardless of liner size. The flowrate is limited to 200 GPM because at higher flowrates, the pressure drop across the entire system exceeds that 4,000 psi limit.
I'd like to be able to increase the flowrate to at least 250 GPM but at a bare minimum cost (surprise!). I haven't done the math but let's assume this would increase the pressure drop by 800-1,000 psi. This spawned the idea of adding a smaller pump in series with the existing triplex. I only have the beginning and end of the line to play with but any additional pump would have to be downstream of the triplex due to inlet pressure restrictions.
My initial thought was to use a rotary PDP immediately downstream of the triplex (with some sort of buffer in between) but this additional pump would need to be capable of an internal pressure of up to 5,000 psi even though the actual differential across it would only be 1,000 psi right? Is there any other obvious solution that I'm missing here? Thanks for the help everyone.
-Tommy





RE: Triplex pump in series with a ... ?
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
RE: Triplex pump in series with a ... ?
RE: Triplex pump in series with a ... ?
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
RE: Triplex pump in series with a ... ?
Can your pipe line take the pressure?
Can your present triplex pump afford you the increased flow rate?
As point out by David, you can only put the centrifugal booster pump, before the triplex pump. But it has inlet pressure limitation..
You have a real problem.
RE: Triplex pump in series with a ... ?
RE: Triplex pump in series with a ... ?
To answer your questions, yes the line can handle the additional pressure and the triplex pump can definitely supply the additional flow. The higher flowrate would translate to cost savings, I'm just trying to figure out how complicated and expensive that higher flowrate is going to be. Thanks again.
-Tommy