DEFINITION :

Pump is a mechanical device used to add kinetic and potential

energy to a liquid for the purpose of moving it from one point
to another. This energy will cause the liquid to do work such as
flow through a pipe or rise to a higher level and Pump gives
pressure to fluid passing through it.

Types:
Centrifugal Pump
Positive
Displacement:
Reciprocating:

Piston pump

Plunger pump

Diaphragm
pump

Rotary:
Gear pump
Screw pump

Centrifugal Pump

Lobe Pump

External-gear

Internal-gear

PUMP TERMINOLOGY
NPSHa (Net Positive Suction Head available):

Net pressure in a given system, based on vessel pressure and

static head, minus the liquid vapor pressure.
NPSHr (Net Positive Suction Head required):

Minimum head needed by the pump based on pump

characteristic (depends on Impeller inlet, Impeller design,
pump flow rate, impeller speed, type of liquid).
Vapor Pressure:

Pressure level when liquid flashes or changes to vapor

CAVITATION:
Cavitation is the formation of vapor bubbles in a highvelocity, low-pressure region and by the subsequent
collapse when the bubbles move to a higher pressure
region. Cavitation can cause loss of head and capacity. Also
can create excessive erosion and vibration.
Indication:
Knocking noise due to formation and subsequent
collapse
of vapor
Cavitation
occuresbubbles.
due to :
Pump cavitation can result from insufficient available
NPSH
(NPSHa < NPSHr)
High pump-suction velocities and long piping increase
pressure fluctuations
in the pump.

THE MEDICINE
Increase NPSHa by :

Increase pressure at suction of pump

Decrease liquid temperature

Reduce head losses

Reduce NPSHr (Depends on Impeller inlet, Impeller

design,
Pump flow rate, impeller speed, type of
liquid)

PUMP LOCATION
Primary Purposes:
1.Minimize the length of the suction piping
2.Satisfying piping flexibility requirement / Sup
3.Adequate access for operation & maintenance / repair

1A, 1B: under pipe rack minimal hydrocarbon spill from

air cooler
provide support from pipe rack
3A, 3B: partially under pipe rack discharge piping can
rise vertical
into the vertical slot

7A, 7B: under equipment equipment such as drums, HE,

provide support from proximity pipe steel
structure
9A, 9B: inline pump

TYPICAL PIPING PUMP ARRANGEMENT &

RULES

SUCTION LINE
Suction piping is one or two line sizes larger than the
pump suction nozzle
Suction
Line Fittings :
size.
1. STRAINER
Strainers is used to catch any foreign matters that may have
collected during
piping construction. Strainers will be located
between pump suction block valve and
pump.

Type of strainer
1) Temporary strainer
2) Permanent strainer

Conical strainers are longer than

the basket type. These are used on
suction lines 2 and larger.

For basket and conical types a

removable spool piece must be
provided downstream of suction block
valve

Flat strainers use with very short

suction lines where no debris is
expected

Permanent
Strainer:
Bathtub or tee
type strainers
as most
expensive, it does
not require
unbolting and
removing spool
piece to remove
the strainer.

Y- type strainer to permit servicing

of the strainer. Also, a blow-off
connection may be provided in the
end cap to flush the strainer.

2. REDUCERS;

Should be as close as possible to the pump suction

nozzle so that
pump suction will not starved.

Use Eccentric reducer with Flat Surface Up for

horizontal line

Reducer located as close as possible to pump nozzle

Air pocket formed along upper side of pipe by

concentric reducer.

3. Block Valve

Suction line should have positive shut off valve,

use gate valve at the upstream of strainer.

Pump valves are operating valves, thus keep

them as low as possible

PUMP PIPING
LAYOUT
CONSIDERATION

1. Flexibility & Support of the pump piping

Allowable loading on the pump nozzle is very low and the
piping must be properly supported to avoid overstressing.
Is there any structure or pipe rack nearby?
If there is no structure/pipe rack nearby consult to pipe

stress

engineer to find best place to make support.

When expansion loops are required between pumps, it is

necessary to partially run the lines over pumps and driver .
Every effort must be made to minimize maintenance obstruction
by running the piping outside the area of the pumps or at a high
enough elevation to permit the removal of the pump or driver.

2. Pump Maintenance & Operational

Consider how each component is to be
physically removed if they need to be
maintained or replaced and the tool needed
to do that.
Make sure there is enough space to pick
and move the component.

There will be some valves that need to be operated

so make sure there is adequate space on pump area
to access the valve.
Orientation of block valves must minimize the plot
area required.

The elevation of the valves should

generally be as low as possible and
common in both lines when possible.

3. Uniformity
Duplicate piping configurations at groups of

pumps of similar size

MULTIPLE PUMP ARRANGEMENT

The lines should be configured so the piping flexible enough & receive
optimum support.
The elevation of the block valves should be within the reach of the

Multiple pumps arrangement, which the one in

the center is a spare pump.

BELOW GRADE SUCTION PUMP

Use Flat Side Top (FST) reducer to
avoid cavitation.
Use of basket strainer in this case is
more practical

THANK YOU