• SIMPLIFICATION OF API 610

API 610 12th edition, Centrifugal Pumps for Petroleum, Petrochemical, and Natural
Gas Industries

Auther: Abdullah Mushabbab Alshahrani

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Table of contents

Introduction and Scope

Terms and Definitions

Pumps Classification and Designation

Introduction and Scope

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Introduction
• API 610 is a standard for centrifugal pumps used in the petroleum, petrochemical and Natural gas industries. The standard specifies requirements in
different aspects such as: Design, Material, Manufacturing, Testing and Performance. The 12th edition has been updated and published in January
2021.
Edition Date Title # of Pages
1 1954 API Specifications for pumps for general refinery services 20
1 Jan-1955 Sup. 2 Vertical Pumps 3
2 Jan-1957 API Specifications for pumps for general refinery services 22
3 Jan-1960 26
4 Jul-1965 26
5 Mar-1971 Centrifugal Pumps for general refinery services 35
6 Jan-1981 62
7 Feb-1989 139
8 Aug-1995 Centrifugal Pumps for Petroleum, Heavy duty chemicals and gas industry services 193
9 Dec-2002 192
10 Oct-2004 184
Centrifugal Pumps for Petroleum, Petrochemical and Natural Gas Industries
11 Sep-2010 220
12 Jan-2021 233

Table depicts the history of all time updates

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API updating mechanism

API standards are on a five-year review cycle and briefly follows the below sequence

Task force is formed to review the current standard

They will decide if it requires updating to conform with current

technology and market practices
If the update has been decided by the task force committee, then the following process is followed:

All changes must Submit draft to API Review by Vice chair Resolutions are
Make committee Recommend
meet with task force member companies and propose presented to the task
assignments proposed changes
approval for comment resolutions force

Task force Standard After editing, Task Submit to API for

Task force prepares Presentation draft is
the presentation draft submitted to SOME
incorporates SOME disseminated to API force reviews the balloting. And
comments for editing standard publishing

• Subcommittee on Mechanical Equipment (SOME)

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Scope:
This standard is applicable to overhung pumps, between-bearings pumps, and
vertically suspended pumps for pumping liquids at conditions exceeding any one of
the following:
• Discharge pressure (gauge): 275 psi; 19.0 bar (1900 kPa)
• Suction pressure (gauge): 75 psi; 5.0 bar (500 kPa)
• Pumping temperature: 300 °F (150 °C)
• Rotational speed: 3600 r/min
• Rated total head: 400 ft. (120 m)
• Impeller diameter, overhung pumps 13 in. (330 mm)

• Sealless pumps, reference can be made to API 685

Terms and definitions

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Terms and definitions
Term
Allowable operating region
Preferred operating region
Rated operating point
Axially split
Barrel pump
Best Efficiency Point (BEP)
Critical speed
Design
Hydrodynamic bearing
Maximum continuous speed
Minimum allowable speed
Minimum continuous flow
Normal operating point
Overhung pump
Definition
Portion where the pump is allowed to operate, based on vibration within the upper limit of this standard or
temperature rise or other limitation, specified by the manufacturer
Portion where the pump’s vibration is within the base limit of this standard
Point where the vendor certifies the performance is within the tolerances stated in this standard
Joint split with the principal face parallel to the shaft centerline
Horizontal pump of the double-casing type
Flowrate at which a pump achieves its highest efficiency at rated impeller diameter
Shaft rotational speed at which the rotor-bearing-support system is in a state of resonance.
Manufacturer’s calculated parameter such as: power, pressure, temperature, or speed. This term is used only by
the manufacturer and not in the purchaser’s specifications
Bearing that uses the principles of hydrodynamic lubrication
Highest speed at which the manufacturer’s design permits continuous operation
Lowest speed at which the manufacturer’s design will permit continuous operation
Lowest flow the pump can continuously operate without exceeding the vibration limits
Point at which the pump is expected to operate under normal process conditions
Pump whose impeller is supported by a cantilever shaft from its bearing assembly
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Terms and definitions

Term Definition
Vertical in-line pump Vertical-axis, single-stage overhung pump whose suction and discharge connections have a common centerline
that intersects the shaft axis
Vertically suspended pump Vertical-axis pump whose liquid end is suspended from a column and mounting plate
Radially split Split with the principal joint perpendicular to the shaft centerline
Stage One impeller and associated diffuser or volute and return channel, if required
Double casing Type of pump construction in which the pressure casing is separate from the pumping elements contained in the
casing
Radially split Split with the principal joint perpendicular to the shaft centerline
Pumps Classification and Designation

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Pumps Classification and Designation

Centrifugal pumps API 610

Pump
Type Overhung Between Bearings Vertical Suspended

Flexible Coupling Rigid Coupling Close-Coupled 1-And 2-Stage Multistage Single casing Double casing

Vertical in-line Discharge through

Vertical in-line Vertical in-line Separate Radially split VS6
Horizontal with bearing Axially split Radially split Axially Split Radially split
bracket OH3 OH4 OH5 Column VS1,2,3 discharge pipe &7

Foot mounted High speed integrally Foot-Mounted Centerline Near-centerline Single casing BB4 Line shaft VS4
OH-1 Geared OH6 BB1-A supported BB2 Supported BB3

Centerline Near-Centerline Double casing BB5 Cantilever shaft

mounted OH-2 Mounted BB1-B VS5

Description
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Coupling
Coupling is a device that connects two shafts together to transmit the rotary motion and torque from the prime -mover to the
driven equipment

Rigid - Unable to
Doesn’t meet API 610
accommodate
requirement misalignment

Types of Flexible - Able to accommodate

Coupling Meet API 610
Specifications
misalignment

- Compact
Closed - Unable to
Doesn’t meet API 610 accommodate
requirement
misalignment
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Casing function
- To collect output from the rotating impeller
- To seal off the fluid inside the pump
- To convert the kinetic energy of the liquid into pressure energy
Slide 28 Explains
Axial split

Axial Split

- Commonly used
- Single / double cutwater
Single - Axial / Radial Split
- Lower efficiency
- Lower Cost
Types of
Casings - Used on Multistage
- Double cutwater
- Axial / Radial Split
Double
- Less radial load on impeller
- Higher efficiency
- Higher cost Slide 30 Explains
Radial split

Radial Split
Classification and Designation of Overhung pumps

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Oh1 pump
OH1 pump Description
• Foot mounted Single stage overhung
• Single bearing housing Flexibly coupled to driver
• Does not meet all API Requirements

Advantages and Applications

• Cost effective compared with other horizontal pumps
• Used for temperatures below 150 °C
Head (M) Flow (M3/HR) Power (KW)
250 1590 1500

Disadvantages

• Does not meet all API requirements due to:

• Service temperature limitation which will cause vibration issue
because of casing thermal growth and expansion
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Oh2 pump
OH2 pump Description

• Centerline mounted Single stage overhung

• Single bearing housing Flexibly coupled to driver

Advantages and Applications

• Endures some misalignment which can reduce vibration and noise

• Can be used for temperatures over 150 °C, thanks to the casing design and the
way of mounting the pump that permits the casing expansion
• Widely used for hydrocarbon services
Head (M) Flow (M3/HR) Power (KW)
250 1590 1500

Disadvantages
• More expensive than OH1
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Oh3 pump
OH3 pump Description
•Vertical, In-line Single stage overhung
•Integral bearing housing Flexibly coupled to driver
•Integral pump support Separate bearing bracket

Advantages and Applications

•Compact footprint, where it can be fitted in tight spaces
•Endures some misalignment which can reduce vibration and noise
•Easy access to maintain the bearings
Head (M) Flow (M3/HR) Power (KW)
250 1590 150

Disadvantages

•High cost compared with other types of OH pumps (Except OH6)

•Not efficient as other horizontal pumps due to: High stress on the bearings which
will prematurely cause wear on bearings and seals
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Oh4 pump
OH4 pump Description

•Vertical, In-line Single stage overhung

•Rigidly coupled Doesn’t meet all API Requirements

Advantages and Applications

•Compact footprint, where it can be fitted in tight spaces

Head (M) Flow (M3/HR) Power (KW)
250 1590 150

Disadvantages
•Doesn’t meet all API Requirements such as: Rigid coupling, Shaft runout at seal and
Rotor Stiffness, which may result to the following:
• Shaft deflection may exceeds API limit (50 micron) which would cause, high thrust
load that accelerates the bearings and seals failure
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Oh5 pump
OH5 pump Description
•Vertical, In-line Doesn’t meet all API Requirements
•Close - Coupled Single stage overhung
•Impeller mounted directly on the driver shaft

Advantages and Applications

•Compact footprint, where it can be fitted in tight spaces
Head (M) Flow (M3/HR) Power (KW)
200 100 75

Disadvantages

•Doesn’t meet all API Requirements due to:

• The seal cartridge cannot be removed unless the driver is disturbed
• Axial float exceeds 125 micron which is higher than API requirement
• Thrust bearing is not able to carry the maximum thrust during operation because, it
doesn’t have separate thrust bearing and the axial load is instead supported by
motor bearings
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Oh6 pump
OH6 pump Description

•High-speed, integral gear-driven

•Single stage overhung
•Gearbox is flexibly coupled to driver
•Impeller is directly mounted to the gearbox output shaft
•Pumps can be oriented vertically or horizontally

Advantages and Applications

•Compact footprint, where it can be fitted in tight spaces

Head (M) Flow (M3/HR) Power (KW)
1350 75 150

Disadvantages

•High cost compared with OH pumps

•Complex design which makes them difficult to maintain
Classification and Designation of Between bearings (bb) pumps

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Between bearings BB1 pumps

BB1 pump
Description

•Axially split One- and two-stage

•between-bearings Foot or Centerline Mounted

Foot Mounted Centerline mounted Advantages and Applications

Newly added to
12 th edition
•Rotor stability due to double suction that reduces axial loads
•Ease of maintenance since the casing can be axially opened
Head (M) Flow (M3/HR) Power (KW)
250 15,909 6000

Disadvantages
•Limitation to handle solids particles in fluid
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Between bearings BB2 pumps

BB2 Pumps
Description

•Radially split
•One- and two-stage
•between-bearings

Advantages and Applications

•Higher operating pressure and temperature capability over BB1

•Better axial force balance versus BB1
Head (M) Flow (M3/HR) Power (KW)
250 15,909 6000

Disadvantages
•Higher initial and maintenance cost in comparison with BB1
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Between bearings BB3 Pumps

BB3 Pumps Description

•Axially split (Used if one of table below met) Multistage

•between-bearings

Advantages and Applications

•Rotor axial stability due to opposed impeller arrangement

•Usually used for non-hazardous services e.g. Boil Feed Water
• Can be supplied with double suction first stage to suit low NPSH duties
Dis. Temperature Relative ρ Dis. Pressure
Less than 200 °C 0.7 or more Less than 100 Bar

Disadvantages

•High possibility of leakage from the split casing

•Not recommended to use for hazardous services
• Requires priming or self-priming capabilities
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Between bearings BB4 Pumps

BB4 Pumps Description

•Single-Casing Radially split

•Multistage Doesn’t meet all API requirements

Advantages and Applications

•Able to endure the rapid temperature changes and frequent start – stop operations.
This would prevent the pump from overheating and seizing. Usually used in power
plants.

Head (M) Flow (M3/HR) Power KW

1875 682 313

Disadvantages
•Doesn’t meet all API Requirements due to:
• High risk of casing leakage
• Maintenance difficulties during dismantling and assembly
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Between bearings BB5 Pumps

BB5 Pumps Description

•Radially Split (Used if one of below table met) Double casing

•Multistage Between bearings (Barrel type)

Advantages and Applications

•Recommended for hazardous services, due to radial casing split

•Operates at high pressure and temperature
Dis. Temperature Relative ρ Dis. Pressure
200 °C or higher 0.7 or Less More than 100 Bar

Disadvantages

•High initial and maintenance costs

•Maintenance difficulties during assembly and Dismantling.
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