Mud Pump:

The mud pumps used on the rig are triplex pump. Triplex pump have three pistons
which are also called plungers. It is a reciprocating and positive displacement pump
which delivers mud only in the forward stroke i.e. it is single acting.

The intake of the mud pump is from the mud tanks. Prior to the entry of mud in mud
pump there is centrifugal pump installed in the suction line, which increases the
pressure of mud as well as provide proper amount of mud to the mud pump. Also
there is a balloon present which remove any air which is entrapped in the mud. The
mud from suction line then goes to the suction module. There is NRV in the suction
module which opens when the piston is in the suction stroke and close when the
piston is discharging. Likewise NRV is also present in the discharge module which
open when the piston is discharging and close when it is taking mud from the
suction module. The piston intakes fluid from the suction module and discharge it
through discharge module. For each piston there is separate chamber.

There is pulsation dampener, pop off valve and bleed valve installed on discharge
line. Pulsation dampener is used to smooth the pressure surges and output of the
pump as well as eliminate vibration of standpipe. Pop off valve to automatically
release the pressure pump pressure if it increases beyond the safety limit. Normally
is set around 70 to 80 percent of the pump pressure output. Bleed valve is installed
to bleed to pressure of pump when required.

The piston is lined on its circumference and back side with rubber to reduce friction
and prevent damage to piston and liner from metal to metal contact as well as
forms a seal between the liner and piston. The motion of piston generates heat
which can damage the rubber, hence can damage the liner and piston and can
prevent an effective thus reducing pump efficiency. Therefore there is a water
cooling line present to cool the piston.

A layout of Mud pump is given on next page.

 Mud Pump
Layout
Legends:
Mud pump Suction Line Pulsation Dampener
Mud Pump Discharge Line Pop off or Pressure Relief
Valve
Water Cooling Line Bleed off valve
Centrifugal pump Balloon

To
Standpipe
Manifold

From Water
Line

To Mud
Tanks
From Mud
Tanks
Mud Pump facts:
Type: F-1600 (BOMCO)
Power: 1600 HP, 1193 KW
Capacity: 100 US Gallons, 378 Liters
Maximum SPM: 120
Stroke Length: 12 in
Liner diameter: 5 in
Output: 0.854 bbl/stk, 13.6 Liter/stk, 3.597 Gal/stk,
0.0136 m3/stk
Maximum pressure at Liner diameter of 5 : 5075 psi