Specialized Training for Oil Tankers - Ch 7. CARGO and BALLAST PUMPS

7 CARGO AND BALLAST PUMPS

Learning objectives

-that the suction action of a pump is really atmospheric pressurepushing the liquid into theinlet side of the pump-how low vapor pressure of the liquid being pumped will improve suction-that the discharge pressure will fluctuate when the liquid boils-the meaning of head -the meaning of NPSH -the meaning of typical Q-H curve and the shore installation curve-that the actual discharge rate also depends on static and dynamicbackpressure of the shoreinstallation-the meaning of pressure surge-that the system is liable to serious pressure surges if valve-closure time is equal to or lessthan the pipeline period

7.1

P

UMP THEORY AND CHARACTERISTICS

7.1.1 Classification and selection of pumps

There are a number of different pump types. Each type has its own special quality andtherefore certain advantages and disadvantages. The selection of pumps is determined by athorough study of the capacity needs and under which operational conditions the pump willoperate. The following factors are important when you evaluate these conditions:

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Estimated back pressure

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Capacity requirement

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Capacity range

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Requirement for installation and arrangement

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Expenses for purchase, installation and maintenance

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Availability of parts and service

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Suction terms

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Characteristics for the liquid to be pumpedSelection of the right pump for a determined purpose qualifies a close co-operation betweenthe customer and the producer of the pump. The customer has a special responsibility toclarify all conditions concerning the pump installation, so the producer can choose the best pump from his product range with the best match.When you choose a pump you must find out how much the pump needs to deliver under aspecific condition. Definition of capacity range is important. Demand for capacity or capacity range and expected discharge pressure must be specified. The capacity requirementis determined by the intended use of the pump. The discharge pressure is determined byvarious conditions where the pump’s delivery pipeline design, the capacity of the pump andthe liquid’s characteristics, is the essential.Alternative installation locations of the pump are limited due to special demands from Classand Shipping Authorities and also from lack of space.

Purchase and installation cost is important. Future maintenance expenses, availability of partsand service now and over the next years, are also important and must be included in theevaluation of alternative pump supplies.The liquid’s properties and which other arrangements you have to consider, often limits theoptions. Density, viscosity and boiling point are important properties to consider. The liquidtemperature and corrosive properties are important factors when pump material is selected.The pump’s suction condition is determined from where the pump is located in relation to theliquid to be pumped. A given suction pipe creates a certain resistance that will have influenceon the pump capacity. The main principle is to minimise resistance on the suction side bydecreasing the suction pipe length, have the largest diameter possible and few as possiblerestrictions in form of bends, valves and so on.The different types of pumps are divided into two main groups, displacement and kinetic pumps. The displacement pumps displace the liquid by reducing the volume inside the pump.An example is a piston pump where the piston is moving up and down inside a cylinder or when the screws revolve inside a screw pump. Kinetic pumps (kinetic energy is equal to“movement” energy) increase the liquid’s velocity through the pump.The diagram below gives a brief view of the different available groups and types of pumps.The diagram would be more comprehensive if the pumps were divided in all details accordingto number of rotors, design of pump inlet/outlet and flow directions.

Single actionDouble actionPiston pumpsResiprocal pumpsSingle rotorGear pumpsScrew pumpsMulti rotorRotating pumpsDisplacement pumpsThe Ejektor pumpSpecial pumpsSingle stage pumpsMulti stage pumpsSingle suctionAxial flowDiagonal flowRadial flowCentrifugal pumpsKinetic pumpsTypes of pumps

A kinetic pump like the centrifugal pump increases the liquid’s velocity in the pump bymeans of a rotating impeller. A displacement pump, like the piston pump, mechanicallydisplaces the liquid in the pump, either by help of a piston or screws. Resistance on deliveryside gives a liquid pressure rise (pump delivery pressure). One should be aware of thisdifference for these two pump types.The pressure rise on a kinetic pump is restricted by the increase in velocity over the pump,which is controlled by the pump design. All kinetic pumps therefor have a designed or built-in limitation for maximum discharge pressure. The displacement pumps limitation dependsonly on available power and the constructional strength. In contrast to a kinetic pump, such a pump will operate against resistance with all its available power. A closed-delivery valveafter a displacement pump is damaging. The same closed valve for a kinetic pump will not bring any immediate danger.Piston pumps and screw pumps have good suction capacity and are used where thesecharacteristics are required. The weakness of these pumps is the complex construction andthe relatively low capacity.

Centrifugal pumps are simply constructed with few parts and no valves. There are noimmediate problems if the outlet of the pump is closed. These qualities result in relative low purchase and servicing costs. Operation at high speed makes the pump small in proportioncompared to the capacity and flexibility in relation to the pump’s location.The most negative side of using a centrifugal pump is the

lack of self-priming capacity

.This weakness is improved by constructional efforts and positioning, which consolidate thefree flow of liquid. Location of a pump, for instance below the liquid level, can reduce theflow resistance. High viscosity liquids are therefore particularly difficult to pump due to thiscondition.A centrifugal pump’s efficiency is high only within a small range. This is the reason it isespecially important to have a clear understanding of what capacity range the pump willoperate under, in connection with the selection of a centrifugal pump.The differential pressure over each impeller is relatively low. Using so-called multistage pumps where several impellers are mounted in serial, increase the pump’s capacity to deliver against higher backpressure.A centrifugal pump will, without a non-return valve on delivery side, give complete back flow at the time the pump stops. For all operators of centrifugal pumps, this relationship isimportant to know.

Centrifugal pump

7.1.2 The ejector

The ejector design is simple and is used for stripping. This ejector has no revolving or reciprocating parts and is thereby especially easy to maintain.

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