Vespel® Case Rings Boost Pump Efficiency and Safety
The Challenge
The operator of a pipeline in the Southwestern U.S. was searching for a case ring material for pumps that would enable improved operating efficiency, increase equipment reliability and avoid the seizing or galling problems encountered with metal components.
The pumps were nine-stage horizontally split units made by Sulzer Bingham. The process fluid consisted of natural gas liquids (NGL) at ambient temperature.
Tighter clearance. Reducing clearance between the case ring and the hard metal surface of the impeller is a proven method of increasing pump efficiency, but reducing the running clearances would increase the frequency of contact between the case ring and impeller, which increases the chance of galling or complete seizing.
Process upsets. Survival of case rings under run-dry conditions caused by process upsets is highly desirable.
The Solution
Vespel® CR-6100 parts.
The operator replaced metal components with Vespel® CR-6100 parts for nine case wear rings along with center, throat and throttle bushings in one of its pumps. Clearance between the case rings and impeller OD was just 0.010 inch (254 μm), about half the API-specified clearance for metal components in such pumps.
Key Advantages
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Vespel® CR-6100 Compression Molded Parts and Shapes
Vespel® CR-6100 Bearings for API Separators
Vespel® CR-6100 Pipeline Pump Component Boost Efficiency
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