Booster Pump Specification

[Berenger]

Hi, I am new to pump design and specification, hence with limited knowledge. We are replacing our product pump (NGL). The discharge pressure is 1450 psi (from Hysys simulation). The inlet pressure is 200 psi. I designed and speced the pump, but my supervisor said the horsepower will be too much, so I decided to include a booster pump. The only way we can get below the HP that the plant can support is to design a 75 HP main pump, which I did (DXP did their own design and their specs are identical to mine)...and DXP is about to start fabricating the pump. Suction 450 psi; discharge 1450 psi.
Now I need a booster pump to pressurize the fluid to the 450 psi. Since inlet pressure will be 200 psi, that will give a boost pressure of 250 psi.
My question, hence, is "is it possible to have a booster pump with a 250 psi differetial?". I am a recent graduate and haven't worked with too many pumps. All the booster pumps I've come across usually have 5-100 psi differential.
Any, and all, assistance is appreciated.

I put as much info above, just in case...however, it's a straight forward question - "can a booster pump have a 250 psi differential?".

 

[BigInch]

Yes. There is no real difference between a booster pump and a regular pump. They are simply called booster pumps when you are raising the pressure of a fluid specifically to feed another pump, ie, configuring the pumps in series. There may be a marketing advantage to call those relatively small capacity pumps "boosters" because you really can't do much of anything else with them in a typical plant piping system anyway.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If it's not safe ... make it that way.

 

[bimr]

A booster pump is simply a pump that raises fluid pressure. Other than that, there are no guidelines on what constitutes a booster pump.

Like any pump, you can specify any performance parameters that you desire.

Some system designs require pumps to be operated in series, in which the discharge of one pump eventually leads to the suction of another. This is often done when pipeline and component losses in the system are substantial and it is not feasible (or at least not economical) to achieve the required total head with a single pump. Additionally, series operated pumps may be used to vary the flow through a pipeline, accommodate a wide variation in pumped fluid properties, or compensate for variable downstream conditions.

 

[stanier]

I have designed a system that is operating dewatering a mine where there are seven pumps in series. The system uses PE for the pipeline material and is limited to 1000kPa. Pumps are identical. located at the distance where the static head is the same between each pump. Each is diesel driven.

Not the same as your application but illustrates that a pump is a pump. Calling it a booster pump doesnt change how it works.

“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”
---B.B. King

http://waterhammer.hopout.com.au/

 

[TD2K]

You might want to consider specifying each pump with the same head. Going with the same design would reduce the number of spares.