I do have all the info. necessary to design the controls, etc., but I can work through the details - my question was strictly general in nature. You and others on this thread have provided me with some good insight and comfort regarding this arrangement as workable. I will proceed accordingly...
I agree that the PD pump inherent pulsations should be dampened out sufficiently over the length of the pipeline. My concern is that the flow rate of the PD pumps will exceed the flow rate capacity of the centrifufal pump.
Thank you all. You have given me some very good ideas. I plan on installing a controlled spill-back line. I also expect flow through the spill-back line at all times. Otherwise, the PD pumps will be "pumping through" the centrifugal pumps. Please let me know if this does not make sense.
The scenario is this --- PD pumps (Gaso triplex plunger) pump crude oil via a 6" pipeline into a breakout tank (crude gathering system). From this point, 2 centrifugal pumps in series (mult-stage pipeline pumps) are used to draw from the tank (using a booster pump) and into another pipeline...
Thank you quark. I believe that these results, at least on a relative basis, are very helpful and may very well be the reason for the problem I outlined above.
I am told by field personnel that a vertical multi-stage pump (can) cavitates when pumping butane from a bullet tank, but does not cavitate when pumping propane from the same bullet tank (they are basing this on sound by the pump). This problem is worse in the winter. I understand the vapor...