Material Selection for high sulphur crude oil pump

[CPMech]

Trying to determine best materials of construction for a centrifugal pump in slop oil service. The worst case conditions are:

total sulphur number of 4.0 wt %, acid number of 3.0 (mgKOH/g), a specific gravity of 1, and a temperature of 100 C.

currently we have an older cast iron pump in similar service but significantly lower sulphur content.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[mechatronic]

I suggest you to consult Shell DEP

 

[sprintcar]

GIW has chemical resistant pump materials used in tar sands applications which may work.

http://www.giwindustries.com

"If A equals success, then the formula is: A = X + Y + Z, X is work. Y is play. Z is keep your mouth shut."
-- by Albert Einstein

 

[SJones]

Unfortunately, mechatronic, Shell DEPs are confidential and, if you don't have a signed agreement with Shell to use them, or are divulging them to others, you may just find some 'enforcement' coming to call!!!

Assuming that the originator doesn't have access to Shell documentation, they could always start by looking at Annex G of ISO 13709.

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.pdo.co.om/pdo/

 

[mechatronic]

Sjones, Thanks for alerting me

Mechatronic

 

[JJPellin]

We run very high sulfur heavy crude oil. For new pumps we would specify CA6NM (11-14% Chrome Steel). However, we have many old cast iron crude pumps that have held up very well for 30 years or more. We pump our crude cold and corrosion has not been a major problem. If the temperature was higher, we would likely have had severe problems with these pumps.