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Options: Booster pump at start or halfway

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ER_Azza

ER_Azza

Mechanical
Jul 18, 2018
54
Hi Gent

A bit of challenge.
The Project team is considering to install a booster pump to compensate for the elevated location of the collecting dam for slurry. One option is relocate at the current pumping station. Another option is to install almost 1/2 way.
I guess there are pros and cons for both. From maintenance perspective, I prefer booster at the same location as the first pump.

From project calc, if the booster pump is at location 0, the power of the booster pump seems to be less than if it is located at 1/2 way. However, HDPE pipe for the former will need to be bigger for the initial 50% so that the fluid pressure is below its safe rated operating pressure.

What's your general thought apart from the obvious cost and logistic involved in having a new remote booster pump station.

Hydraulic_mh0niy.jpg
 
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If the pipe for the top option is bigger in the initial 4 or 5km, then your head loss line shouldn't be straight. But a larger pipe will be less frictional losses hence less power.

Booster stations can be tricky to operate and bring on line and add cost so if you can make it work use the top option. Balance that against having to install a bigger line.

Pretty marginal I would say.

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Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
 
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Support auxiliaries, maintenance challenges and logistics to keep this remote pumping station running will add up to a lot in the long term, even if it is only 4km away from point "0".
Plus you may have to pig this line, so with the remote station option, it will have to be done in 2 steps. And what will you do with the large amount of muck collected in the receiver pig barrel at that remote location ?
 
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If option 1 is to increase the capacity of an existing station, there is NO option 2.

--Einstein gave the same test to students every year. When asked why he would do something like that, "Because the answers had changed."
 
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Slurry needs to be kept moving at some sort of reasonable velocity. A bigger pipe will go slower so could result in blockage or higher diff pressure. Slurry is strange stuff...

It's virtually impossible to start a pipeline booster at the same time as as the prime mover. You normally need to establish flow with the first pump then bring the second one on line without exceeding the design pressure on exit which is difficult as the inlet pressure to the booster is higher than when in a steady state. You need either speed control or control valves at the starting of the booster.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
 
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OP,
You have more advantages by locating the booster (or add another main in series) in 0 position.
The power bill should be the most cost effective criteria going to your operating expanses.
HDPE pipe replacement could be one time project expense.
As long as it meets the delivery demand, you will have lots of savings locating the pump at 0 location as others has pointed out.


GDD
Canada
 
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Points to consider :
Is the discharge pipe at position O rated for the increased pressure, likewise is the second pump pressure rated for the total head being developed.
Is power available at the second location for an installation likewise is it readily accessed.

Both pumps at position O is the better option for an operational point.


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.)
 
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Is there some way of pigging this line, bypassing remote booster station, so that all muck is dealt with at final destination point only ?
 
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Hi,
Why don't you share with us basic information about your project?
Pipe diameter, pipe material, flow rate, slurry (solid concentration), density, temperature, viscosity, pumps curves.
Pierre
 
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