Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Applications Of The High Pressure Positive Displacement Pump

By Daphne Bowen


The revolution and diversification of industries can all be attributed to the invention of the pump. The applications of high pressure positive displacement pump has been extended well beyond the common usage of pumping water from a borehole. Modern industry relies heavily on this technology.

The rotary and reciprocating pumps constitute the two main classes of pumps. They are similar in that they both allow a constant rate of flow but different in a functional point of view. Rotary pumps require constant lubrication through the pumping process. Their suitability with highly viscous fluids is the corner stone of their operation. They however cannot transmit abrasive fluids like water and gas efficiently. Vaporized fluids can be pumped but for only limited periods of time. Reciprocating pumps on the other hand are more all rounded because they are better suited for both viscous and abrasive liquids.

Their ability to operate efficiently depends widely on viscosity and pressure, as seen above. These two properties usually affect rate of flow. This is actually the main reason why they are preferred to their centrifugal counterparts. The ability to maintain a constant rate of flow even with significant variations in viscosity and discharge pressure makes them more versatile.

Their applications are spread all over the facets of industrialization. One major use can be seen in the oil, gas and petroleum industry. Centrifugal pumps cannot move fluids that contain large amounts of gas. PD drives however have the capabilities of handling fluids with up to 50 percent gas without requiring any modification. Specialized PD drives can transmit fluids with up to 95 percent gas.

The overall cost of pumping was greatly reduced when the PD pumps were put into use. Of shore drilling firms could now rack more in profits due to this.

In the field of chemical engineering, PD drives are vital to the pumping mechanisms. A standard chemical reaction results in huge changes in viscosity of the underlying mixture. This implies that other pumps such as the centrifugal types would not sufficiently carry the mixture through the reactor. PD drives will be able to transmit the mixture constantly irregardless of the fluctuations. This is the major reason why its uses extend to the pharmaceutical, foods and beverages and the biotechnology industries.

Considering the high amounts of paper in use in an economy, PD drives contribution to its manufacture is worth the mention. The entire process of paper milling is a highly regulated industry. This implies that any lag in function of a unit would in a varied number of ways hamper the production process. Pumps function is to keep a constant supply of fuel in a system. The constant changes in viscosity and clogging implies that the positive pumps would be the most suitable for the job.

In summary, positive displacement pumps are the most efficient when rate of flow is a major requirement. One should properly understand all the physical properties of the fluid intended to be transmitted before settling on a choice of pumping mechanism.




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