PNEUMATIC DISCHARGE DAMPENER

FOR
MUD AND SLURRY PUMP SERVICE

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

MATTCO Manufacturing, Inc.

12000 Eastex Freeway
Houston, Texas 77039
PHONE: (281) 449-0361
FAX: (281) 449-0360
PREFACE

Mattco Manufacturing, Inc. makes no warranties of any kind, expressed or implied; including
any warranty of mechanical fitness for any particular purpose that the work performed pursuant
to this manual will be free from defects in workmanship or material.

This manual makes recommendations only. The customer is at all times responsible for actual
disassembly, inspection, re-assembly and testing of the pulsation dampener body. The
customer is also solely responsible for providing competent and qualified persons; equipment
and facilities to perform such operations; and for workmanship and safety.

If at any time the customer is unable to understand the recommendations made in this manual
or is unable to follow those recommendations, they should consult with Mattco Manufacturing,
Inc. at the address, telephone number and fax numbers listed in the front of this manual

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All Pneumatic Pulsation Control Equipment is designed to Section VIII Division I of the ASME
Pressure Vessel Code. Specific certifications are available and are shown below.

Model Description Part Number

M10-5000 10 Gallon 5000 PSI A5810
10 Gallon 5000 PSI – ASME Certified A5810-ASME
10 Gallon 5000 PSI – DNV Certified A5810-DNV
10 Gallon 5000 PSI – ABS Certified A5810-ABS

M20-5000 20 Gallon 5000 PSI A5520

20 Gallon 5000 PSI – ASME Certified A5520-ASME
20 Gallon 5000 PSI – DNV Certified A5520-DNV
20 Gallon 5000 PSI – ABS Certified A5520-ABS

M20-7500 20 Gallon 7500 PSI A7520

20 Gallon 7500 PSI – ASME Certified A7520-ASME
20 Gallon 7500 PSI – DNV Certified A7520-DNV
20 Gallon 7500 PSI – ABS Certified A7520-ABS

Dampeners are available with the following Diaphragms:

Description Temperature Range

Material Part Continuous Intermittent

No.
10 Gallon 5773 0°F-212°F (-18°C-100°C) 250°F (121°C)
Nitrile Buna-N
20 Gallon
5373 0°F-212°F (-18°C-100°C) 250°F (121°C)
Nitrile Buna - N
20 Gallon
6590 0°F-250°F (-18°C-121°C) 300°F (149°C)
Hydrogenated Nitrile

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 Typical Discharge Dampener Layout

(For the Part numbers and descriptions see Page 5)

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ITEM DESCRIPTION 10GAL. 20 GAL. 20 GAL.
NO. 5000 PSI 5000 PSI 7500 PSI
COMPLETE ASSEMBLY M10-5000 M20-5000 M20-7500

1 UPPER CAPSCREW 1259 1259 1259

2 CHARGING VALVE 6648 6648 6478

3 VALVE GUARD 5525 5525 5525

4 PRESSURE GAUGE 5527 5527 6468

5 UPPER CLOSURE STUD 5731 5349 6463

6 UPPER CLOSURE NUT 6281 5636 6722

7 UPPER CLOSURE PLATE 5723 5523 6461

8 BODY 5730 5530-W 6460-W

9 LOWER CLOSURE PLATE 5524 5524 6462

10 LOWER CAPSCREW 5348 5348 5348

11 LOWER PLATE SEAL 5557 5557 5557

12 BLADDER – Buna -N 5773 5373 6472

HYDROGENATED Buna -N 6590 6590
13 STABILIZER 6778 6020 6020

14 STABILIZER PLATE 6021 6021 6021

15 STABILIZER BOLT&WASHER 6779 6022 6022

API RING R-39 R-39 BX155

LOWER PLATE STUD (8 Req.) 3452 3452 6465

CHARGING HOSE ASSEMBLY 5529 5529 6470

DRY WEIGHT 1000 2310 2520

CONNECTION 4-1/6” 4-1/16” 4-1/16”

-5000 PSI -5000 PSI 10,000 PSI

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1. INSTALLATION & OPERATION

Please read all instructions carefully before proceeding with the installation of this equipment.

Warning: Safety Hazard Do not pre-charge the dampener until the unit has been securely
mounted in place.

1.1. MOUNTING
1.1.1. The dampener should be mounted as close as possible to the pump for maximum
effectiveness. As a general rule, install the dampener within a length not to exceed 10
times the connecting pipe diameter.
1.1.2. Mount the dampener vertically, and if possible in a position where the fluid stream is
directed towards the opening in the bottom plate.
1.1.3. The Fluid connection faces should be thoroughly cleaned and the API ring grooves
checked for uniform sealing surfaces.
1.1.4. A new API ring should be cleaned, checked and coated with a light coat of grease
before being installed in the mounting flange ring groove.
1.1.5. Insert the flange mounting studs into the 8 threaded holes in the bottom plate. All studs
should be seated to assure that they are properly inserted. There should be less than
0.25” (6 mm) variation in installed height.

Warning: Safety Hazard Do not lift anything other than the dampener itself with the valve
guard/lifting eye or material failure may occur. The valve guard has a lifting capacity of 1.5
times the weight of the dampener in accordance with ASME code.

1.1.6. Install the API ring in the ring groove. Lower the dampener onto the mating flange
using the lifting eye on the valve guard. Ensure the space between the flange and
bottom connection is equal around the circumference.
1.1.7. Install the nuts and tighten using a cross pattern to the proper torque using the table
below.
Bolt Size - UNC Lubricated Torque
In mm lb.-ft Newton-Meters
0.625 16 130 180
0.750 19 210 280
0.875 22 320 430
1.000 25 460 620
1.125 29 630 850
1.250 32 840 1130
1.375 35 1100 1490
1.500 38 1400 1890
1.625 41 1700 2300
1.750 44 2040 2750
1.875 48 2500 3380
2.000 51 3000 4050
2.250 57 3180 4311

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2. PRE-CHARGING THE DAMPENER WITH NITROGEN

Warning: Safety Hazard

Pump must be isolated from inlet and outlet piping and fluid drained before disconnecting any
flanges. Always pre-charge with NITROGEN and with ZERO pressure on the system. Using
any other gas may cause an explosion and serious injury to personnel.

2.1. GENERAL PRE-CHARGING INSTRUCTIONS

2.1.1. One of the most important factors in proper pulsation dampener performance is the pre-
charge pressure. Normally, the pre-charge pressure is based on the average operating
pressure of the system. As a general rule, pre-charge the system between 40%-60%
of the average operating pressure. For more specific charging instructions, contact a
Mattco pulsation control representative.
2.1.2. Pre-charging the dampener is accomplished by using commercially available
NITROGEN cylinders. The number of nitrogen cylinders required to pre-charge the
bladder will depend on dampener capacity and pre-charge pressure. The chart below is
based on the use of STD. 224 cubic feet, 2200 PSI dry nitrogen cylinders.

10 GALLON 20 GALLON
Pre-charge No. cylinders Pre-charge No. Cylinders
Pressure required Pressure required
1-1100 PSI (1) 0-700 PSI (1)
1100-1600 PSI (2) 700-1300 PSI (2)
1300-1600 PSI (3)
For higher pre-charge pressures a gas booster pump (i.e. Haskell International) should be used.

2.1.3. The charging valve and pressure gauge are under the valve guard. The valve guard
can be lifted clear by removing four 5/8” bolts securing the valve guard to the upper
closure plate.
2.1.4. Before pre-charging, make sure all upper closure plate nuts are secured and evenly
tightened. Make sure the charging valve is closed by turning it fully clockwise until it
stops. Remove the chained dust cover plug.
2.1.5. Connect the charging hose assembly to the charging valve and the regulator on the
nitrogen cylinder.
2.1.6. Slowly open the regulator on the nitrogen cylinder until the recommended pre-charge
pressure shows on the gauge.
2.1.7. Slowly open the charging valve on the dampener by turning the valve counter-
clockwise. Allow the pressure to build to the proper pre-charge pressure (this may take
up to 15 minutes). The regulator pressure and the hose pressure should read the
same. Close the charging valve by turning it fully clockwise until it stops. Additional
cylinders may be required to bring to proper pressure.

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 2.1.8. Apply soapy water or similar leak detection fluid around the fittings, connections, studs
and flange mating areas. Ensure no bubbles are forming which would indicate a leak.
In the event of a leak, re-tighten the connections and check again. It is possible
reinstallation of the gauge or charging valve may be required to stop a leak.
2.1.9. Once at proper pre-charge pressure, ensure the cylinder regulator and the dampener
charging valve are closed. Slowly bleed the pressure from the hose until the hose
pressure gauge reads zero. Remove the charging hose assembly and install the
charging valve dust cover plug.
2.1.10. Reinstall the valve guard and securely tighten the 5/8” nuts to 130 ft-lbs of torque. Your
pulsation dampener is now ready for operation.

2.2. CLEANING AND INSPECTION CYCLE

2.2.1. Monthly inspect the pre-charge pressure on the dampener, or any time the pressure
line is showing excess variations. Excessively low pre-charge pressure may indicate a
leak or bladder failure.
2.2.2. During routine bladder replacement, inspect the interior of the vessel for any burrs,
debris or excess pitting. Mild scale or pitting may be removed with the application of a
light emery cloth. If excessive pitting, corrosion or wear is found, contact a MATTCO
pulsation control representative. If any problems exist, the other pulsation dampeners
should be inspected. Flush the shell before the bladder is reinstalled.

2.3. DIAPHRAGM INSTALLATION

2.3.1. Isolate the pulsation dampener from the pumping system. Ensure the line pressure
reads zero.
2.3.2. Remove the valve guard. Remove the dust cover from the charging valve. Turn the
charging valve fully counter-clockwise to ensure there is no pre-charge pressure left on
the system. Confirm the pressure is zero on the pressure gauge. Reinstall the valve
guard.
2.3.3. Loosen the upper closure nuts using a cross pattern. Do not remove the nuts
completely until the upper closure plate has been lifted and it has been proven there is
no longer a pre-charge on the system. Using a hoist, slowly lift the upper closure plate
with the valve guard/lifting eye until the rubber bladder seal has been broken.
2.3.4. Remove the upper closure nuts and remove the upper closure plate.
2.3.5. Remove the existing stabilizer bolt, lock washer, stabilizer plate, and stabilizer. Install a
lifting eye into the threaded hole at the bottom of the bladder and remove the existing
bladder.
2.3.6. Inspect the bore and gasket sealing areas of the dampener for burrs or nicks. Coat the
bore area and the diaphragm with a light coat of grease to aid in installation.

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2.3.7. Pull up on the neck of the bladder while pushing the steel insert at the bottom down,
elongating the bladder. Roll the sides of the bladder to form a football shape, using a
strap to hold it in this position.
2.3.8. Insert the folded diaphragm length-wise into the dampener. Open it up inside the body
of the vessel. Adjust the neck of the diaphragm to fit uniformly over the gasket surface
of the dampener bore.
2.3.9. If required, install the stabilizer, stabilizer plate, lock washer and bolt. Tighten the bolt
securely using a socket wrench.
2.3.10. Installation of the upper closure plate is the reverse of removal. Be careful when
lowering the upper closure plate that the bladder is not crushed or folded over on the
bladder sealing surface.
2.3.11. Pre-charge the bladder in accordance with section 2.1 of this manual.

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