During a mechanical seal replacement at a major gas plant, a reliability engineer identified that their API OH2 centrifugal pump was operating below the Minimum Continuous Stable Flow (MCSF).
In this case, Hydro Rocky Mountain partnered with HydroTex Deer Park‘s engineering team to provide the customer with an innovative solution by utilizing the existing casing and providing a redesigned impeller to optimize the overall efficiency and life cycle of the unit.
Watch as Ares Panagoulias and Glen Powell, of Hydro’s test lab, examine the historic operating conditions in regard to the pump’s best efficiency point (BEP) and provide a performance test to validate the upgrades and modifications.
Interested in pump training? Hydro’s got you covered. Providing aftermarket-focused training is an important part of our commitment to our customers. We offer training on a range of topics from pump fundamentals to more specialized hands-on programs for high pressure multistage pumps.
Hydro’s training helps you do what you do – better. Visit our training page to view our upcoming seminars!
The phenomenon occurs when a system experiences extreme vibration caused by excessive pump pressure and pulsation.
Written by: Greg Matteson & Jeff Johnson Published by: Pumps & Systems
A North American natural gas liquids pipeline company was experiencing an acoustic resonance issue that cost up to $35,000 a month in maintenance and repair. A six-week project resulted in rerating three American Petroleum Institute (API) designation between-bearing (BB3) horizontal multistage split-case mainline pumps and performing extensive and specific vibration analyses to identify the problem. The project involved designing and manufacturing new impellers using exclusive milled vane technology, conducting API hydraulic performance tests, and returning the pumps into service.
This midcontinent pipeline gathers, processes, stores and transports natural gas—in this case, propane. Because of its geographic location, extreme temperatures and conditions are a factor in the selection of major equipment and components. The pumps operate at 2,917 gallons per minute with 2,926 feet at 1,500 horsepower and 3,560 revolutions per minute (rpm).
The Problem
The pipeline company was experiencing an acoustic resonance vibration problem at the pump crossover, causing major maintenance and repair issues. Acoustic resonance occurs when a system experiences extreme vibration due to excessive pump pressure and pulsation, with frequencies loud enough for humans to hear. This can happen with the use of variable speed drives.
The pulsations are caused by a non-uniform flow from turbulence, sudden change of flow structure, direction or cross-section.
The acoustic resonance had existed since the pumps were installed more than five years ago. Rather than repairing or replacing them, the company performed continuous unscheduled maintenance that cost as much as $35,000 in a single month.
Hydro Middle East has a state-of-the-art manufacturing and service facility for comprehensive pump maintenance and rebuilding needs.
Hydro Middle East Inc. will provide aftermarket support for maintenance, rebuilds, retrofits, upgrades, re-rates, provide engineering support, conduct field service, and manufacture spare parts for PDO‘s entire centrifugal pump portfolio. Hydro Middle East has a state-of-the-art manufacturing and service facility for comprehensive pump maintenance and rebuilding needs.
Last year, Hydro Middle East and its agent Global Pavilion LLC were awarded a major 10 year contract by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the leading exploration and production company in Oman which is majority owned by the Government of Oman with Royal Dutch Shell, Total and Partex being the minority shareholders.
Hydro Middle East, the Dubai branch of Hydro Inc. group of companies having worldwide operations and headquartered in Chicago USA, has entered into a contract with PDO. With this contract, Hydro Middle East and its local partner Global Pavilion LLC will be responsible for a complete range of pump aftermarket services for both PDO’s high and low energy centrifugal pumps. In addition to the vital expertise that Hydro Middle East will provide to PDO, this contract also serves and supports the government’s initiatives to train young Omani engineers and utilize local resources within PDO local facilities.
Thomas Arakal, managing director of Hydro Middle East, noted that prior to Hydro’s arrival in the region, a need for high-level niche aftermarket engineering was not being served to industry here. “Hydro’s considerable engineering capabilities, along with ready and affordable access to our pool of experienced aftermarket engineers from our worldwide locations allow us to offer quick turnaround.”
George Harris, CEO of Hydro Inc. added, “With this new contract, Hydro looks forward to serving PDO’s needs while making an impact on young engineers in the region and helping to spread cutting-edge pump-engineering technology to this crucial region of the world.”
Hydro Middle East was established in Dubai’s National Industries Park with a state-of-the-art manufacturing and service facility for comprehensive pump maintenance and rebuilding needs. They are also licensed by American Petroleum Institute for drilling services (manufacture, service, testing, inspection of well control, pressure control and rig and drilling equipment, onshore and offshore).
Hydro has carved out a niche as the premier engineering and solutions based company for the oil and gas, power utility, nuclear, desalination, mining and petrochemical industries in the region.
Hydro Middle East is pleased to announce that their five day API audit for API Q1 ISO9001:2015 and their five API monogram licenses (API 5CT, 6A, 7-1, 16A & 16C) concluded positively with the auditors recommending API to renew their license.
This audit was a challenge due to the following:
• They were the first establishment in the region to face the new 2015 revision audit.
• An API officer flew in from Houston to assess the API auditor performing this audit.
The team at Hydro Middle East was lauded by the auditing committee for the attention to detail and discipline. The appearance of the shop was also noted and praised by both auditors.
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The Problem
