Pump house on a barge

[Yuze]

We try to install a new barge on a pond with two vertical pumps to pump water to a settling pit. The two pumps will be operated in parallel. The new barge will be installed with a pump house for the two new pumps. The water inside the pond is collected from catch basins with in the plant sites. Therefore the water may contain hydrocarbons, H2S and ammonia. The area of the barge and the pump house will be a classified area due to the existence of the above gases.

We are located the cold operating area. In the winter, the outside temperature can reach as low as -40C.

Any maintenance for the pumps will be taken to the maintenance shop. My question is why we need a pump house just for two pumps? Can we remove the pump house and simply winterize the pumps and connection piping. What is your thought?

Thanks,
Nina

 

[bimr]

There is no clear answer to your query. And you have not given much information on the pumps either.

Yes, you can probably weatherproof the pumps. But, don't forget Murphy's Law. Murphy's Law will tell you that you may have power failure or pump failure in the middle of the night in winter. It is also in the scope of the designer to anticipate the future problems.

It is understandable that you do not want to construct a building in a classified area. However, it may be impractical to service the pumps if they are in the weather. Perhaps you may consider the use of a portable hut if you need to work on the pumps.

 

[Artisi]

Have you considered electric submersible units unless of course the settling pipe is likely to freeze solid at some stage.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[bimr]

I would not recommend submersible pumps because of the higher maintenance issues associated with submersible pumps. Sure, the weatherproofing costs will be less for submersibles, but then you will have higher costs for maintenance and downtime.

 

[1gibson]

"Any maintenance for the pumps will be taken to the maintenance shop."

What about the guys who have to remove motors, and unbolt the pumps from the piping and foundation, so they can be pulled and taken to the maintenance shop?

 

[Yuze]

Thanks fellows for your input. The project team decided to install a pump house anyway.

Thanks again,

Yuze

 

[1gibson]

Generally, "anyway" doesn't mean the same thing as "because there is a very good reason for it?." Seems like you still consider it superfluous.

Put yourself in the maintenance guys' shoes (jumpsuits, gloves, ski masks, goggles, hardhats, and tool belts as well.)

Need to look past the design calcs and budget sometimes, all the time.

 

[chicopee]

A pump house is nice to have if maintenance work is needed in the winter.

 

[Artisi]

especially if fitted with heater, lounge and TV

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[chicopee]

Artisi, your sense of humor suggests to me that you have never done maintenance work on equipment located outdoors during winters.

 

[Artisi]

Many times - as well as being up to my armpits in crocodiles and other nasties. The comment was in a light hearted manner and in the interest of comfort.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[chicopee]

Crocodiles don't live in cold weather, so I don't consider that area of the country as having very cold weather.

 

[Artisi]

chicopee. You are correct of course about the crocodiles and cold weather, however, I should have added when up to the armpits in crocodiles the weather was at the other extreme - 45C++ and what is in the shade. Hot enough to fry eggs on the top of a paint can - in this case the pump houses need a/con and a fridge full of cold beer, but I'll take the hot over the cold weather any day.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)