High Speed Integrally Geared Pumps

API 610 Type OH6 Pumps

Presented by Sandy Sutherland

SUNDYNE PUMPS
API 610 Type OH6 Pumps

a.ka. High Speed Integrally Geared Pumps

presented by Sandy Sutherland

 Abbreviated OH6 History
• The invention of “Barske” hydraulics in pre
WW2 Germany by U. M. Barske.
• The migration from military use into
commercial aircraft use in the late 1950s,
coincident with the use of integral gearing for
higher impeller RPMs to reach higher
performance levels with maximized Ns.
• The evolution into industrial use in the early
1960s.
• API 610’s incorporation of OH6 in 7th Edition
of 1989.
 What do they do for us ?
• Provides for the use of a single stage
centrifugal to be used.
• Provides for the use of a centrifugal operating
at Qbep that delivers a relatively low flow with
a very high head.
• Provides reliable centrifugal pumping for
*certain industrial process fluid streams that
conventional hydraulics are not well suited for.
( * PTA in suspension)
 What do they look like inside ?

• Following are three examples

The classic Vertical Inline
The classic flipped on its side
Another variation of the Horizontal
Hydraulics Types, Characteristics &
Allowable Flow Ranges

• First some range charts to give us a feel as

the overall range that OH6s presently cover.
Single Impeller OH6s
Multiple Impeller OH6s
Discussion Points
NPSHR & Use of Inducers
 Shaft Sealing Considerations
• First, keep in mind that API 682 seals are
invalid for OH6s.
• Following are some coloured sealing
arrangements images for your ongoing
reference.
• Next there are some coloured bushing
arrangements images for your ongoing
reference.
• Then we will discuss Seal Chamber Margin to
Flash and some solutions.
 Single Seal – Arrangement 1

SINGLE
SLINGER
SEAL SLEEVE
THROTTLE ASSEMBLY
BUSHING

SPRING
STATIONARY
FACE
WEDGE
RING
ROTATING
FACE
 Tandem Seals – Dual Unpressurized –
Arrangement 2

TANDEM
SEAL
 Double Seals – Dual Pressurized –
Arrangement 3

DOUBLE
SEAL
 Seal Chamber Pressure
• As affects Seal Chamber Margin to Flash.
• OH6s in general have negligible seal chamber
pressure rise above suction pressure.
• Therefore low NPSHA application translate to
low Seal Chamber Margin to Flash unless
something is done to manipulate Pressure
and/or Temperature conditions in the seal
chamber
If Seal Chamber Margin to Flash is
inadequate for inboard seal faces
on product :
• Suggested is the use of a special close
clearance bushing in association with an
appropriate Plan 1x arrangement.
• Or, application dependent, the use of a Plan
23 arrangement, with Plan forced circulation
being a good option to consider.
 Alternatively, for wet/wet
unpressurized duals with poor Seal
Chamber Margin to Flash :
• Consider using a “semi-wet” lower as
designed to thrive on low margin to flash, in
association with a dry gas upper.
• Particularly so for low S.G. / high and steep
curved Vapour Pressure fluids.
• Suggested is feeding the dry gas upper with
Nitrogen, for support and sweep effects.
 If an Atmospheric Side “Backup
Bushing” is desired :

• A quench type bushing modified for dry

running may be fittable, but with limitations
such as space based restriction of use for
only with lower singles - no duals.
 Please use O E M Shaft Sleeves
• OH6 process seal shaft sleeves are very critical
components.
• Do not use anything suspect or out of spec.
• End face flatness is an issue of light bands.
• End faces parallelness is an issue of tenths’ of a
thou’.
• Checking sleeves needs a Height Gauge and a
Grade A “Inspection” quality Granite Surface
Plate.
• Special hi strength materials can be required.
 Rotordynamics
• Sundynes have been Stiff Shaft since mid 80s.
• Rarely, Flexible Shaft machines were built
before then.
• Generally, low mass Titanium impellers and/or
inducers and HSSA shaft and support system
stiffnesses are enough to manipulate Dry 1st
Criticals to above rotationals by a minimum of
20 %.
• Laterals relate to the HSSAs while Torsionals
relate to the internal machine train and externals
 Vibration Levels
• Overall Displacements should be within *2.0
mils from Minimum Continuous Stable Flow to
110% of Qbep.
• Discreets should be within 1.5 mils. (*75% of)
• Overall Velocities should be within *0.142 in/s
RMS.
• Discreets should be within 0.106 (*75% of)
• Table 8 of 610-11th alone does not govern
(high speed) OH6 vibration levels, be sure to
also use Figure 34. (rpm adjustment since 6th)
Integral Gearboxes
Lube Oil Systems
Original Selection & Rerating
Considerations
Controls & Controls Philosophies
Condition, Predictive & Protective
Monitoring
OH6 Frequencies Determination
 Dominant Problem Areas
• Primarily revolve about the dynamic sealing
points :
• Process sealing points.
• Gearbox sealing points.
• As are affected by all the other aspects
presented.
• Secondarily would be lube oil delivery and
condition issues as can also affect the primary
areas.
• Gearing as a primary problem is very rare.
Questions & Answers

Feel free to ask away !

 Available Resources Suggested
• The allied resource of NatPro and Sundyne.
• Various papers and articles from proceedings
and periodicals.
• Chapter 11 “High Speed Pumps” by Edward
Gravelle in the 2nd Edition of Centrifugal Pumps
Design & Application by Lobanoff & Ross. (
ISBN 0-87201-200-X )
• A “.pdf” format copy of this presentation.
• Model specific Manuals from the Manufacturer.
• Sundyne Centrifugal Pump Control Bulletin.
 Thank you for your time and
interest

• Enjoy the remainder of the Conference.