DESIGN AND OPERATION REFINEMENT OF A MULTISTAGE LIGHT HYDROCARBON PUMP

摘要

One of the most critical pieces of equipment in an Olefin plant is the ethylene product pump. The challenge of designing a vertical process pump that will deliver a high vapor pressure liquid with poor lubricating qualities at 10,000 ft TDH and stay within budgetary constraints is understandably an enormous task. Often process and pump designers do not adequately appreciate the need for these pumps to have the ability to withstand periodic abuse resulting from plant upsets and human error. Also, purchase specifications for the design of the pump and pump system do not always coincide harmoniously with the actual system requirements. As a result, these pumps go through a never ending refinement process of design as the user company and pump company strive to improve the MTBF as process conditions change and technology evolves.