Jacobs België N.V.

Process manual

PROCESS MANUAL
Part I

Section : 3.0

Chapter : 1

Subject : Pumping Of Liquids

Publication : February, 2003

File : 10301-01.doc

Subject : Pumping of liquids Issue : 1

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction 3

1.1. Centrifugal force 10

1.2. Displacement 10
1.3. Mechanical impulse 10
1.4. Transference of momentum 10
1.5. Electromagnetic force 10
1.6. Gravity force 10

2. Consideration on pump selection 5

3. Types of pumps 8

Appendix ‘A’ Pump type chart 11

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1 INTRODUCTION

The most commonly employed method of transporting a liquid from one point to another is to force it
through a piping system by means of a device, called pump.
Pipe of circular section is most frequently used because this shape offers greater structural strength
and possesses the greatest sectional area per unit of wall surface.

The choice of a pump is not easy. There are thousands of manufacturers of the dozen or so basic
models of pumps. Within each model there are numerous combinations of metallurgy, bearings and
seals, packing, mechanical configurations, etc. The final choice involves input from one experienced
in pump applications and a careful appraisal of pump needs.

However, there are some basic principles and criteria that apply to all pumps. These will be reviewed
in this chapter.

There are six methods by which fluids can be made to move through a conduit or channel.

1. By action of centrifugal force

2. By volumetric displacement
3. By mechanical impulse
4. By transfer of momentum from another fluid
5. By electromagnetic force
6. By gravity

1.1 Centrifugal force

Though the physical appearance of the many types of centrifugal pumps varies greatly, the basic
function of each is the same, i.e., to produce kinetic energy by the action of centrifugal force and then
to convert this energy partially to pressure by efficiently reducing its velocity.
A device, which combines the use of centrifugal force with mechanical impulse to produce an increase
in pressure, is the axial-flow pump. In this device the fluid travels roughly parallel to the shaft through
a series of alternately rotating and stationary radial blades having airfoil cross sections. The fluid is
accelerated in the axial direction by mechanical impulses from the rotating blades; concurrently, a
positive pressure gradient in the radial direction is established in each stage by centrifugal force. The
net pressure rise per stage results from both effects.

In general, centrifugal fluid-transport devices have these characteristics:

1. Discharge is relatively free of pulsation.

2. Mechanical design lends itself to high throughputs, which means that capacity limitations are rarely
a problem.
3. They are capable of efficient performance over a wide range of pressures and capacities even at
constant-speed operation.
4. Discharge pressure is a function of fluid density.

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1.2 Displacement

Discharge of a fluid from a vessel by partially or completely displacing its internal volume with a
second fluid or by mechanical means is the principle upon which a great many fluid-transport devices
operate. Included in this group are reciprocating piston and diaphragm machines, rotary vane and
gear types, fluid piston pumps.
The large variety of displacement-type fluid-transport devices makes it difficult to list characteristics
common to each. However, for most types it is correct to state that :

1. They are adaptable to high-pressure operation.

2. Discharge of many will pulsate unless an auxiliary damping system is employed.
3. Mechanical considerations limit maximum throughputs.
4. They are capable of efficient performance at extremely low-volume throughput rates.

1.3 Mechanical impulse

The principle of mechanical impulse, when applied to fluids, is usually combined with one of the other
means of imparting motion, as mentioned in par. 1.1, this is the case in axial-flow pumps. The
regenerative-type pump is another device, which functions partially by mechanical impulse.

1.4 Transference of momentum

Acceleration of one fluid in order to transfer its momentum to a second is a principle commonly used
in the handling of corrosive materials, in pumping from inaccessible depths, or for evacuation. Jets
and eductors are in this category. These are normally relatively inefficient performers. In cases where
the motivating fluid is air or steam, operating costs are apt to be several times that of other types of
fluid-transport equipment. On the other hand, absence of moving parts and simplicity of construction
often justify their use in severe services or inaccessible locations.

For details on jets see part I, section 6.0, chapter 3.

1.5 Electromagnetic force

When the fluid is a good electrical conductor, as is the case with molten metals, it is possible to
impress an electromagnetic field around the fluid conduit in such a way that a driving force is created
that will cause flow. Such pumps have been developed for the handling of heat -transfer liquids,
especially for nuclear reactors.

1.6 Gravity force

This type of fluid motion requires no additional device than only static difference. In this chapter, this
type of fluid motion is not considered.

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2 CONSIDERATION ON PUMP SELECTION

When selecting pumps for any service, it is necessary to know the liquid to be handled, total dynamic
head, suction and discharge heads, and in most cases, the temperature, viscosity, vapor pressure
and specific gravity. In the chemical industry the task of pump selection is frequently further
complicated by the presence of solids and corrosion characteristics demanding special materials.
Solids may accelerate erosion, have a tendency to agglomerate, or may require delicate handling to
prevent undesirable degradation.

Because of the wide variety of pump types and the number of factors, which determine the selection
of any for a specific installation, the designer must first eliminate all but those of reasonable
possibility.

In the chemical industry the selection of pump materials is dictated by considerations of corrosion,
erosion, personnel safety and liquid contamination. The experience of pump manufacturers is often
valuable in selecting materials.

Adequate hydraulic performance and use of the most durable materials may not always be sufficient
to produce the most satisfactory pump selection. When solids are present there are other
considerations of equal importance. All internal passages must have adequate dimensions. Pockets
and dead spots where solids could accumulate must be avoided. If the solids are abrasive, close
internal clearances between stationary and moving parts are undesirable. Means should also be
available for flushing with a clean liquid before shutdown.
Special attention shall be given for installations requiring the gentle handling of suspended solids,
such as pumps feeding filter presses. Adaptability to easy maintenance is a feature of increasing
importance in today’s economy. Chemical pump installations requiring annual maintenance of two or
three times the original investments are not uncommon. In most cases this is the result of improper
selection.

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3 TYPES OF PUMPS

Pumps are machines, which are designed to initiate the movement of fluids, and in general terms can
be divided into two distinct groups, positive displacement pumps and centrifugal pumps.

It is convenient to subdivide these categories as follows:

A. Kinetic (or Dynamic) pump types:

1. Centrifugal

a. Radial flow
b. Axial flow
c. Mixed flow
d. Special high head, low flow

B. Positive Displacement pump types:

1. Reciprocating pump types

a. Piston
b. Plunger
c. Diaphragm

2. Rotary pump types

a. Gear
b. Screw
c. Vane
d. Lobbe

The fundamental difference between these two types of pumps is that the positive displacement types
apply a direct movement onto the fluid by means of a piston, or gears or screws, etc. whereas
centrifugal pumps impart a high velocity to the fluid within the pump casing, which can be converted
into a pressure to allow the fluid to move to an area of lower pressure.

This definition of the two types indicates what is perhaps the most important difference between
positive displacement and centrifugal pumps in that for a given speed of rotation, the former types
move what is essentially a fixed volume of fluid irrespective of the system characteristics (in that,
providing mechanical and power considerations allow it, they will generate sufficient “Pressure” to
overcome it), whereas the latter generate a “dynamic head” which, providing the designer has done
his calculations correctly, will allow a certain volume, determined by the pump characteristic, to flow
through the system.

It is worthwhile stressing at this point that centrifugal pumps impart energy to the fluid pumped and
therefore do not create “pressure” directly. The “pressure” developed is dependent on the density of
the fluid, thus a centrifugal pump working at a fixed capacity, will generate the same head, but only
about half the pressure when pumping liquid ethane compared with pumping water, which has nearly
twice the density of liquid ethane.

Appendix ‘A’ shows the different types of pumps available under the two main groups. The majority of
pumping installations, however, use centrifugal pumps.

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Appendix ‘A’ : Pump type chart

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