Super-heated state 1

[Y123Y]

Hi,


I read the one of the incident report that pump explored by closing suction and discharge valve closed.
It was water pump so, the temperature increased and the water that is kept between two valves became super-heated state, and pressure increased. Thus, it exploded.

and I just wonder is it possible to have this same situation with other process fluid, HC with large H2S contents?
(I am not sure whether HC with large H2S fluid has super-heated state or not, and whether pressure increases with condition valves are closed)

Thanks

 

[LittleInch]

If you close off a pump full of liquid and keep it running then you will heat up the fluid and the potential for a large bang is there.

In reality, most of the time the seals would fail first, thus allowing pressure to be released to keep it below the design pressure of the pump.

Water pumps can be very basic and made from cast iron and only designed for a low pressure so there is more potential for such an explosion. Pumps for HC tend to be more robust, made of cast steel and there is usually more protection to prevent this sort of thing happening.

SO is it possible? - Yes
Is it likely to happen? - No

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[ashtree]

Any process fluid would get quite hot in such a condition because of the friction and turbulence inside the pump in this condition.
Whether this ends up in a catastrophe or not depends on lots of things including:

1) The type of liquid and physical characteristics when heated.
2) How much heat the pump can dissipate.
3) The strength of the pump casing and valves and their ability to withstand the heat and the pressure.
4) The volume of the liquid in the pump.
5) The design and style of the pump and how quickly is the fluid able to recirculate with the pump.

You would expect that a high efficiency design would generate heat much faster than something with an open impeller.

Regards
Ashtree
"Any water can be made potable if you filter it through enough money"

 

[georgeverghese]

Also depends on whether you have the pump discharge PSV upstream of the discharge valve.