Ethylene Pumping Requirements

[Under Pressure]

Hello, I am new to Eng Tips and was hoping to get some guidance regarding the pumping of ethylene. The fluid would enter the pump from a pipeline at suction pressure of 1600 psi and at 60-70F. My phase diagram shows that this fluid will be supercritical, which I recall, will have both liquid and gas characteristics. So here's my question: can I use a pump or do I need a compressor? If a pump can be used, what type of pump is needed and what special features would it have to have?

Thanks!
Under Pressure

 

[georgeverghese]

The critical temp for pure C2= is 48.4degF, so you can only have superheated gas at any pressure at a min temp of 60degF - so you'be looking at a compressor. What exit pressure are we looking at here ? Flow range also influences type of compressor.

 

[Under Pressure]

Hello and thank you for your reply. The required exit (discharge) pressure is 1900 psi.

 

[georgeverghese]

So this would be a single stage compressor, since the pressure ratio is (1900+14.7)/(1600+14.7) = 1.2 which is well within the limits for a single stage. Whether this is a centrifugal or a recip machine will depend on the flow range.