LittleInch,
Thanks for your reply. still I have some doubt.
Yes, increasing the density will increase the pressure and power.
what about the effect on the pump internal parts i.e. is there any possibility for pitting due to cavitation?
what about rotor stability with two phase fluid?? i am more worry about pump healthiness than the more power consumption.
for pump data sheet there are two values for the water cut:
2% aearated water and 1% for entrained water. this is not clear for me!!!
Also check with a pump engineer what effect this may have if discharge pressure varies frequently due to water cut fluctuations and what this may do to the plan 53B seals on the pumps further downstream.
Same concern if there is significant amount of gas carryunder from the source separator into the first stage pump suction.
Meshry,
2% water content is not high water cut. For transfer of crude oil to processing facilities, it is usulal to specifiy max 0.5% of basic sediments and water (BS&W). In case of higher water content centrifugal pumps tends to emulsifiy the fluids, which would affect downstream separation facilities. But generally it has no negative effect on the pump itself.
Ok.
Today report showed 5% water cut. Because it is the winter time so separation process is not efficient.
Can we continue running the transfer pump in this condition?
As per Alexander's reply. It is max 0.5%
As LittleInch says its no problem for pump at all, 0.5% or 5%, or whatever WC you have. My point was to mention that in presence of both oil and water, centrifugal pumps in general tend to emulsify the flow. Emulsions would have slight increase in viscosity, which would increase the pressure drop in the pipeline slightly. But it has no impact on the pump performance itself.
