Enhancing Performance Through Flow Reduction

Operating a pump off its design point has many drawbacks. Inefficiency and wasting energy across a throttled valve bothrequire more horsepower than an optimized system. Running away from the best efficiency point increases risk of degradation, which may cause recurring premature component failures due to higher radial loads, hydraulic instability, and other influences. These factors negatively affect reliability while simultaneously driving up the cost of equipment operation and maintenance. For this reason, opportunities to optimize a pump are extremely beneficial and have a very short payback period.

The benefits of modifying pump performance to better match system demand were demonstrated in a recent project undertaken at a Gulf Coast refinery. The refinery had a single-stage, double suction (BB2) pump where the required output had been greatly reduced from the original design. The mechanical seals were repeatedly failing, which resulted in frequent maintenance and seal replacements. The refinery partnered with Hydro, Inc to perform a field evaluation of the pump and develop a design upgrade to increase reliability and efficiency.

Read the full case study in World Pumps’ January/February digital edition to learn what steps were taken to effectively reduce flow for this “bad actor”, returning the asset to reliable operation and significantly reducing the cost to operate the equipment.

Do you have an initiative to save energy and reduce the lifecycle costs of your equipment? Hydro’s Energy Edge is a comprehensive program where we work hand-in-hand with end users to understand opportunities for asset optimization and develop plans to execute on chosen solutions.

Downstream USA 2025 Conference

Join Hydro at Reuters’ Downstream USA 2025 in Houston, TX. Visit us at booth 513 and learn about how we’ve helped the refining and petrochemical industries increase pump reliability and save energy in their pumping systems.

Downstream 2024

Join Hydro at Reuters’ 2024 Downstream Conference in Galveston, TX. Talk to our pump improvement professionals about how we are increasing reliability and reducing life cycle costs for pumping systems in the refining and petrochemical industries.

RefComm 2024

Join Hydro at the 2024 CRU RefComm Conference in Galveston, TX. Visit us at Booth 73 and learn about the resources we have developed to improve reliability of pumps in the refining industry, accurately assess equipment health, and train the next generation of refinery workers.

Landmark contract signed between Oman’s PDO and Hydro Inc.

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.

Source: oilreviewmiddleeast.com