CONTROLLING POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

© Walter Driedger, P. Eng., 2000 May 20. walter(at)driedger(dot)ca

First published in Hydrocarbon Processing, May 1996.
This Adobe® file is available for download at http://www.driedger.ca/.

INTRODUCTION. The positive displacement pump is in

some ways an even simpler device to control than the cen-
PROCESS
trifugal pump discussed previously1. It has the same func-
tion, namely to provide the pressure necessary to move a A B
liquid at the desired rate from point A to point B of the pro-
cess. Figure 2-1 shows a 'generic' process with a positive
displacement pump (in this case a gear pump) connected to
deliver liquid from A to B.

There is a great variety of positive displacement pumps.

They are divided into two broad categories: Rotary and
reciprocating. From the controls point of view, however, they
are all similar. Their characteristic curve is so simple that it is
rarely drawn. It is essentially a straight vertical line, as
shown in Figure 2-2. (For some reason PD pump curves are
Fig. 2-1. A Gear Pump and a Process
usually shown with the pressure and flow axis exchanged. I
will not follow that convention in this article.) All are constant flow machines whose pressure rises
to whatever value is necessary to put out the flow appropriate to the pump speed. If the discharge
is blocked, the pressure will rise until something yields -- preferably a relief valve. Close
examination of the curve shows a slight counter clockwise rotation. This is due to internal leakage.
For positive displacement pumps the major
cause of leakage is the small amount of
100
reverse flow that occurs before a check valve
closes and possibly past the check valve after
PUMP CHARACTERISTIC
PERCENT RATED PRESSURE

80
it is closed. Leakage past the piston is neg-
ligible. Diaphragm operated PD pumps have
60 Po no cylinder to leak past. Rotating PD pumps,
such as gear pumps or progressing cavity
40 pumps have internal clearances which permit
E
CURV a small reverse flow, called "slip" or "blowby".
TEM
SYS There is another reason why the curve may
20
rotate to slightly lower flows at higher
Qo discharge pressures: The driver may slow
20 40 60 80 100 120 down as the load increases. None of these
PERCENT RATED FLOW have a significant affect in curving the slope of
the characteristic enough that this slope can
Fig. 2-2. Pump Characteristic and System Curve
be used for control. For most practical
purposes the slope is vertical. The system
curve of the process is also shown on Figure 2-2. Its intersection with the pump characteristic
defines the operating point.

Controlling Positive Displacement Pumps http://www. driedger.ca/ce2_pdp/CE2_PDP.html Page 2-1

As always, the process controls engineer has the responsibility of matching the capacity of a
specific piece of equipment to the demands of the process at every instant in time. Rarely does the
actual system curve fall exactly on the one used for design and selection. As with any two port
device, there are three locations in which a control valve can be placed: On the discharge, on the
suction, and as a recycle valve.

DISCHARGE THROTTLING. Discharge throttling does not work! Looking at the process from the
point of view of the pump, discharge throttling rotates the system curve counter clockwise so that
the modified system curve intersects the pump
curve higher up. The additional pressure is 100
dropped through the valve so that the pressure

EM
PERCENT RATED PRESSURE
and flow to the process is (almost) exactly the

ST
DELTA P
80

SY
VALVE
same as before. The "almost" is due the small

D
MO
increase in internal leakage that results in an
60
equally small reduction in flow. An increased
wear rate and a shortening of the life of the
machine are the only results of this approach. If 40
the pump is seen from the point of view of the
process so that the valve is considered part of 20
MOD PUMP
the pump, the same result is obtained. To obtain
CHANGE
a modified pump characteristic curve, the pump IN FLOW

curve must be rotated clockwise around the 20 40 60 80 100 120

PERCENT RATED FLOW
intersection with the pressure axis. The problem
is that this hypothetical intersection is far off the Fig. 2-3. Modified Curves: Discharge Throttling
top of the operating range. It is the point where
the pressure is so high that 100% internal leakage occurs. The machine would self-destruct from
excess pressure if one were stubborn enough to attempt to find this point. The rotation of the curve
can still be performed on paper and it amounts to a slight shift to the left. Shown in Figure 2-3, it is
virtually identical to the unmodified curve. To cut a long story short, you can't control a PD pump
with discharge throttling.

SUCTION THROTTLING. Suction throttling has the same effect

on the characteristic curve as discharge throttling and doesn't
FC work either. PD pumps have a Net Positive Suction Head
Required (NPSHR) just as centrifugal pumps do. In fact their
requirements are even more stringent. Therefore restrictions
and pressure drops in the suction lines must be similarly
avoided.

FO RECYCLE CONTROL. This leaves recycle control as the only

means of using a valve to control a PD pump. The valve is
installed in a line teeing off from the discharge and leading back
to the source of the liquid, possibly a surge tank. It must be fail
open, of course. Figure 2-5 shows its effects on the
characteristic curves. Viewing the process from the point of
Fig. 2-4. Recycle Control view of the pump, its effect is to rotate the system curve
clockwise around its intersection with the pressure axis. Note

Controlling Positive Displacement Pumps http://www. driedger.ca/ce2_pdp/CE2_PDP.html Page 2-2

 that the little "tail" at the bottom left of the modified system curve is due to the flow through the
recycle valve before the discharge check valve has opened. The flow through the pump is
essentially as before but the pressure to the process has been reduced. Process flow will, of
course, also be reduced by the amount flowing through the recycle line.

Ppm Viewing the pump from the process gives a

100
different perspective on the same phenomenon.
This time it is the pump curve that is rotated
PERCENT RATED PRESSURE

MOD

80
counter clockwise around its intersection with
PUM

the flow axis. This modified pump curve gives

P

60 the effect of greatly increased internal leakage.

TE
M From the point of view of the process, this is
REDUC
PRES

S
SY
40
MO
D exactly what is happening. Note that I have not
used the same operating points in Figure 2-3 as
20 I did in Figure 2-5. It is simply impossible to
show any significant reduction in flow on a curve
RECYCLE FLOW
representing the effects of discharge throttling.
20 40 60 80 100 120
PERCENT RATED FLOW
Recycle control is an efficient method of control
Fig. 2-5. Modified Curves: Recycle Control for PD pumps. Since the flow rate is essentially
constant, the power requirement is roughly
proportional to discharge pressure. Since the effect of recycle is to drop the discharge pressure, it
results in significant reductions in power requirement. Nevertheless there is still wasted power in
proportion to discharge pressure times recycle flow.

Recycle valves experience rather severe service if the pressure drop is high. Cavitation will destroy
them if they are not appropriately selected. Two approaches exist to deal with this problem: The
first solution is to drop the pressure in many small stages through the use of many twists and turns
in the valve trim. The second is to tolerate the resulting cavitation by shooting the liquid as a jet
through a small hole in the middle of a disk. The jet then blasts directly into the discharge piping.
The line diameter is often increased immediately downstream of the valve and the wall thickness is
also increased. In this way the jet cavitates down the middle of the pipe. It makes a terrific racket.

In either case it may be necessary to put a fixed restriction downstream of the valve. It should be
sized so that the ratio of the high to intermediate pressure is the same as the ratio of intermediate to
low pressure. Keep in mind that the restriction will reduce the rangeability of the valve by making it
act like a quick opening valve. This is because the restriction becomes the dominant factor in the
line once the valve is about half way open. From that point on, the valve has little control.

Recycle lines for PD pumps should be run back to the suction vessel. This allows any entrained
bubbles to escape. If they do not, they can build up to the point where pump capacity is impaired.
It may even vapour lock.

SPEED CONTROL. Speed control is an obvious method of controlling the flow rate of PD pumps
since flow is essentially proportional to speed. Pressure can also be controlled by sliding up and
down the system curve. Any point on the system curve can, in theory, be reached. Most drivers,

Controlling Positive Displacement Pumps http://www. driedger.ca/ce2_pdp/CE2_PDP.html Page 2-3

however, have low speed limits which limit the turndown of the system.

Variable speed electric motors are somewhat modified versions of normal motors. They require
special provision for cooling and lubrication SPEED ---->
100
at low speed. In addition, they require

100%
20%

40%

60%

80%
specialized electronic power supplies called

PERCENT RATED PRESSURE

"invertors". These units provide power of 80

the appropriate frequency and voltage.

They are, unfortunately, still quite 60
expensive. The large inertia of the system
means that speed changes cannot be made 40
quickly. If it is possible for a valve in the VE
M CUR
TE
process side to close suddenly, a variable SYS
20
speed electric cannot reduce speed fast
enough to prevent a severe pressure rise.
A recycle valve will be required to protect 20 40 60 80 100 120
the pump, as detailed below in the section PERCENT RATED FLOW
on machine protection. A more simple type
Fig. 2-6. Variable Speed
of electronic control is frequently used for
small chemical injection pumps.

OTHER MEANS OF CONTROL. The great variety of types of PD pumps results in a variety of
specialized means of flow control. A pneumatic actuator may be used to vary the geometry of the
crank arrangement of a reciprocating pump so that each cycle displaces a greater or lesser amount
of cylinder volume. Direct acting diaphragm pumps driven by compressed air or some other gas
can be controlled by regulating the gas supply. There is also a technique known as "lost motion"
whereby the crank arrangement first compresses a spring or volume pocket before it begins to work
on the piston or diaphragm. These specialized methods are usually integral parts of the equipment
and the controls engineer simply connects a pneumatic or milliamp signal to the appropriate input
port. None of these methods changes the essentially constant flow nature of the pump curve. (The
flow is still "constant" but at a different value.)

The efficiency of hydraulic or eddy current couplings is about the same as that of recycle control.
This is because the torque on both sides of the coupling is proportional to ∆P. The power lost in the
coupling will be proportional to torque times the reduction in speed. In other words, all unused
power is being dumped. If the pressure does drop with a reduction in net discharge flow, then there
will be a power savings. A valve is a cheaper way of accomplishing the same thing.

"Stroke Counting" is a method used when fixed amounts of liquid must be injected at specific
intervals such as in batch processes. An electronic device is used to count the number of
revolutions of a PD pump. After a sufficient number has been counted, the pump is shut off. When
this method is used for pH control, the correct number of strokes can be calculated from a titration
curve.

MEASUREMENT. The most common application for PD pumps is in high-pressure service. The
flow rates vary from extremely small to moderately large. Pressure control is very common. Since
the control valve tees off the discharge header, it is not significant where the sensing transmitter is

Controlling Positive Displacement Pumps http://www. driedger.ca/ce2_pdp/CE2_PDP.html Page 2-4

placed. Keep in mind that the discharge will be pulsating. The pulsations may be relatively small
for a rotary pump or they may be extremely large for a simplex (single cylinder) reciprocating pump.
The degree of pulsation also depends on the effectiveness of the hydraulic pulsation dampeners
that are often supplied with the pumps. If pressure or flow control is critical, the control systems
engineer should encourage the biggest economical discharge dampeners. Small pulsation
dampeners, called snubbers, should be installed on all instrumentation such as pressure gauges,
switches and transmitters. This will extend their life as well as improve the signal. Many
transmitters have built-in adjustable electronic damping. These should be adjusted so that the time
constant is approximately twice the period of the expected pulses at the lowest speed. The
phenomenon known as "aliasing" makes digital control systems such as a distributed control
system (DCS) especially sensitive to pulsations. Aliasing can be best explained with the help of a
diagram as shown in Figure 2-7. The rippling curve shows the actual flow rate of the discharge as it
varies with time. The Xs show the points at which the DCS samples the measurement. The DCS
gets the totally misleading impression that the system flow is slowly rising even if the average is
quite constant. The usual reading the DCS gets is one of totally random fluctuations. Analog
damping, either hydraulic or electronic, is absolutely essential for digital control. It prevents aliasing
by filtering out high frequency components before they are sampled.

Flow control measurements have similar problems to pressure measurements. An additional

problem arises in the case of an orifice plate or similar head type measuring system. Since the ∆P
varies with the square of flow rate and it is the ∆P that is averaged, the resulting signal is not the
average of the flow rate. Rather it is the square root of the average of the square of the flow rate.
(Electrical engineers recognize this as the RMS -- root mean square.) As long as the shape of the
pressure signal, over time, does not change, flow will be proportional to, but not equal to, root ∆P.
The more cylinders in the pump, the smoother the waveform will be and the closer the measured to
the actual reading. Discharge pulsation dampeners also help considerably. The measured flow on
"ideal" (undamped, pure sinusoidal flow waveform) simplex and duplex pumps is 11% higher than
the actual flow. An "ideal" triplex pump yields a measurement that is 1% high.

Flow measurements on the

T FLOW discharge of high pressure
APPAREN
pumps should be avoided. This
FLOW

AVERAGE FLOW
may not be possible if the pump
has a recycle loop that returns,
as it should, to the suction
vessel. In that case remember
X X X X X
TIME that the flow sensor will
Fig. 2-7. Aliasing experience not only high
pressure but also a high level of
pulsation. Turbine meters are easily damaged. I am told that Coriolis flow meters do well in this
service.

Certain classes of reciprocating pumps, known as metering pumps, have a very precise volume of
liquid delivered with each stroke. The RPM of the pump can be used as an accurate flow
measurement. However, individual calibration is required if this accuracy is to be realized. Note
that even small amounts of entrained air or other bubbles can cause serious errors. Metering
pumps are commonly applied for chemical injection. There is a simple way to calibrate them if

Controlling Positive Displacement Pumps http://www. driedger.ca/ce2_pdp/CE2_PDP.html Page 2-5

extreme accuracy under varying conditions isn't an issue. A large glass cylinder is teed into the
suction piping. If a valve between the cylinder and the supply is closed, the time it takes the pump
to draw down the level by a fixed volume can be used to calculate a flow rate. The cylinder also
serves as a level gauge to the supply tank. In some applications the fact that the pump is capable
of developing high pressure isn't even an issue. It may be metering directly into an open tank or a
low pressure line. In such cases the pump may need a back pressure valve on the discharge to
ensure that the check valves seat properly. This item is usually supplied by the vendor as part of
the pump package.

PD pumps are not generally used for level control in the process industries. The great variety of
types of PD pumps inevitably provides exceptions to every generalization. The direct acting,
pneumatically powered diaphragm pump is one of these exceptions. It is ideal for sumps
containing sludges. The pump can be controlled by an entirely pneumatic control system thus
eliminating all electrical connections. This has the added advantage of being absolutely safe in
hazardous locations.

MACHINE PROTECTION. The greatest danger to positive displacement pumps is overpressure.

The rigid, unyielding nature of the pump characteristic means that overpressure is certain if the
discharge is blocked. Many smaller (non API) pumps1, 2,
3
, such as the gear pumps used to supply lube oil for
larger equipment, have integral relief valves to release
pressure from the discharge back to the suction. In the
majority of cases, an external relief valve must be
supplied by the user. It must be connected as closely to
FC
the pump discharge as possible and must not have any
means of blocking either its inlet or its outlet. It should PC
discharge back to the pump supply. If, for any reason,
the discharge is blocked and the relief valve is not PDAH

capable of relieving, the pressure will rise very rapidly

until something busts. It may be connecting rods, the
check valves or even the cylinder head. Don't count on
the motor stalling because events unfold very rapidly and
FO
the inertia of the system is sufficient to cause major
damage. The most likely point of failure is the bolting on
the discharge flanges.

Direct acting pumps, such as those driven by

compressed air, may not need a discharge relief if it can
be shown the maximum pressure of the driving fluid is
incapable of causing excess pressure. Fig. 2-8. Pressure Override

It is often advisable to install a high discharge pressure shutdown switch or transmitter in addition to
the relief valve. Good engineering practice dictates that operating controls be provided to avoid
shutdowns or relief valve operation for normal operating situations. If it is possible for the pump dis-
charge to be blocked under normal operating conditions, a pressure control loop must be provided
on the discharge. This consists of a pressure transmitter, a controller and a recycle valve. If there
is already a flow control loop on the discharge, a pressure override controller must be added. A

Controlling Positive Displacement Pumps http://www. driedger.ca/ce2_pdp/CE2_PDP.html Page 2-6

common arrangement is shown in Figure 2-8. A deviation alarm on the pressure controller provides
the pre-alarm for the high pressure shutdown. Whenever the pressure is above the setpoint of the
controller, the alarm is on. This has the advantage of having only one setpoint for the two functions.
Since the valve is fail open and the lower of the two signals drives the valve to the safe state, a low
selector is chosen to pass the correct signal to the valve. Once again it must be stressed that
overpressure conditions can arise extremely quickly. All components of the system must be
selected with speed in mind. DCS controls with a scan rate slower than ½ second may be too slow.
In any case, the valve may be too slow. Despite your best efforts it may be impossible to limit the
pressure rise. In such cases it may be necessary to eliminate the high-pressure shutdown and to
accept occasional relief valve action.

The suction side of the pump may also require protection. A relief valve is required unless all
suction piping is rated for the full discharge pressure. Liquids, especially water, are quite incom-
pressible. Even the smallest reverse leakage through a check valve can raise the pressure of a
blocked suction sufficiently to rupture the line. This can happen even after the pump has been shut
down! The discharge dampener will contain liquid at full pressure unless it has been relieved. The
line rupture may occur minutes or even days after the pump has been shut down and isolated,
depending on the relative sizes of the discharge and suction dampeners and the leakage rate. (
Been there, seen it, don’t want to see it again! )

A low-pressure shutdown switch or transmitter is required on the suction side of larger pumps. The
NPSHR of reciprocating pumps is further complicated by what is termed the "acceleration head".
(See the previous article in this series, Controlling Centrifugal Pumps1, page 7, for a more
detailed discussion of NPSHR and NPSHA. Note that there is one difference between NPSH for
centrifugal and PD pumps: For a PD pump NPSH is specified in pressure units instead of elevation.
This is because the operation of PD pump is not dependent on liquid density. ) When the piston of
a simplex pump begins its intake stroke, the liquid in the suction line is essentially stationary. The
entire line contents must be accelerated rapidly to its maximum velocity, approximately three times
the average velocity. There are two reasons for this three to one ratio: Firstly, the liquid isn't moving
at all for half the cycle. Secondly, even when it is moving the velocity starts at zero and builds up to
a maximum at mid stroke before reducing to zero again at the end of the stroke. The "suction"
required to draw the liquid into the cylinder reduces the pressure sufficiently that air or vapour
bubbles may develop. When these collapse during the discharge stroke, if not sooner, cavitation
occurs. If the bubbles do not collapse, as in the case of air dissolved in water, serious hammering
can occur in the cylinder. The air may accumulate to the point that the pump becomes vapour
locked. Remember that air can compress into the internal clearances of the cylinder and then
expand again on the intake stroke without ever being forced out of the discharge check valve. The
low suction pressure shutdown device should be accompanied by some sort of pre-alarm.
Acceleration head problems are greatly reduced for multi-cylinder pumps. Suction dampeners also
contribute to making the flow rate more even.

Minor mechanical failure in PD pumps can cause significant vibration and subsequent serious
damage to the entire machine. For this reason it is the rule to include a vibration switch on larger
equipment. This switch need not be the extremely sensitive, multichannel system used on high-
speed machinery. We are not monitoring the gradual deterioration of delicate bearings. What we
are looking for is an abrupt event of considerable magnitude. Even the simplest switch will suffice.
The usual type of switch is termed a "seismic" switch. It works by having a small weight held in

Controlling Positive Displacement Pumps http://www. driedger.ca/ce2_pdp/CE2_PDP.html Page 2-7

place by a magnet against the force of a spring. A "bump" dislodges the weight from the magnet
and allows it to open the shutdown contact. The usual means of "calibration" is a light whack with a
hammer. A pre-alarm is not possible.

Larger PD pumps may have special lubricating requirements for the cylinders. The oil is supplied
by small reciprocating injectors (miniature PD pumps) drawing from a small reservoir. The reservoir
needs a low-level alarm which should also inhibit startup. A shutdown may not be necessary since
damage from low oil level is not immediate. The reservoir is supplied from a larger lube oil tank
through an integral float valve. The tank requires a low and a high level alarm. These can be
provided by a single transmitter.

Variable speed pumps, especially those driven by engines, may require an overspeed trip. This
should come from a separate sensor from the governor since it may be a governor failure that has
caused the overspeed. A simple method is a small bolt mounted in a hole in the rim of the flywheel
and held in place by a spring. Centrifugal force causes the bolt to project from the rim and trip a
limit switch mounted on the frame.

SAFETY. There are no inherent dangers associated with PD pumps other than extremely high
pressure or leakage of toxic or hazardous materials. Actually diaphragm pumps are especially
suitable for toxic service since they have no rotating or sliding seals. The possibility of leakage or
even rupture and a subsequent fire must be considered whenever flammable materials are being
handled. Fire detection methods similar to those discussed in Controlling Centrifugal Pumps4,
may be necessary.

It is possible that a diaphragm may rupture during service. If the liquid is particularly hazardous, a
double diaphragm may be used. In that case a tap will be provided by the manufacturer to install a
pressure sensor for alarm or shutdown.

A fire safe block valve is needed on the suction whenever flammable liquids are being drawn from a
reservoir with significant capacity5. Its interlocking must be handled slightly differently from that
associated with a centrifugal pump. It is not advisable to slam shut the suction valve even if the
pump is stopped simultaneously. Full vacuum may be induced during the rundown. If this causes
air to be drawn into the piping an extremely hazardous situation is created. It is best to use a time
delay circuit so that the suction valve is not closed until several seconds after the pump has been
tripped.

It may also be desirable to have a fire safe block valve on the discharge. Since most PD pumps are
in high-pressure service, there may be the potential of pressurized fluid forcing its way backward
past the discharge check valve into a fire. Automatic closure should also be interlocked to occur at
least several seconds after the pump has been turned off.

ACCESSORY INSTRUMENTS. Any instrument used to control the process or to provide some
safety or machine protection function should, if possible, have a simple local device to verify its
operation. In the case of PD pumps that means pressure gauges at both the suction and the
discharge. Pressurized pulsation dampeners require pressure gauges to ensure that they are
properly charged. Large reciprocating pumps have oil filled crankcases. A gauge glass (by vendor)
and a thermometer should be provided.

Controlling Positive Displacement Pumps http://www. driedger.ca/ce2_pdp/CE2_PDP.html Page 2-8

The cylinder lube reservoir requires a sight glass. This is supplied by the vendor on API pumps1, 2, 3.
The tank needs a level gauge glass whose span is broad enough to cover both alarm settings.

If the machine is equipped with cooling water jackets, there should be a thermometer on the outlet
of every jacket. A single thermometer on the supply is a good idea. High outlet temperatures may
not mean the pump is overheating!

The variety of PD pumps implies a variety of special requirements. Be sure to discuss these with
the pump vendor to make certain that nothing "obvious" has been overlooked.

PARALLEL PUMP INSTALLATIONS. PD pumps are quite suitable for parallel operation. Since
the discharge pressure of each pump rises as necessary, all pumps will discharge into the common
header. A common recycle valve is sufficient for flow or pressure control.

Starting up a pump that is discharging into a header that is already pressurized by other pumps
may overload its driver. To prevent this it is necessary to have an individual recycle valve on each
pump. This may be a slow acting ball valve. Starting the pump then becomes a simple timed
sequence in which the valve is first opened, then the pump is started, and finally the valve is slowly
closed again. The pump should also be shut down in the same sequence. Remember that the ball
valve will be opening against the full discharge head and may need a large actuator. In water
service it is extremely important that the appropriate water resistant grease is used.

If variable speed pumps are used, the majority should be placed on fixed speed. One pump is then
selected for process control to take the swings in demand.

SERIES PUMP INSTALLATIONS. PD pumps are not generally installed in series. Since series
pumps must both discharge an identical flow and both are discharging a "constant" flow, it is
extremely unlikely that the two can be matched without complex controls. It is common, however,
to have one or more parallel centrifugal pumps servings as boosters to one or more parallel PD
pumps. The centrifugal pumps serve to provide the NPSH that the PD pumps require. The PD
pumps in turn can provide a very high discharge pressure.

The centrifugal boosters should have sufficient flow capacity to supply the pulsating requirements to
the PD pumps. This means the full peak flow, not the average. If they need controls they should
be on pressure control by way of a recycle valve since there should be no interference in the
suction to the PD pumps.

A warning: It may happen that the PD pump has a very low discharge pressure for some reason --
perhaps the piping has been removed for maintenance. It is then possible for the booster pump to
push liquid through the various check valves and out the discharge without the PD pump being
turned on at all. In fact, the flow may be even greater than if the PD pump were running!

Controlling Positive Displacement Pumps http://www. driedger.ca/ce2_pdp/CE2_PDP.html Page 2-9

SUMMARY. Figure 2-9 shows a typical arrangement for a positive displacement pump application.
The following features are illustrated:

- Centrifugal booster pump with PSV

recycle pressure control and a mini-

PAH PC
mum flow restriction orifice. PAH

- Low suction pressure shutdown with PC

alarm.
- Pressure gauge on the suction. FC FO

- High vibration shutdown and alarm

on the crankcase.
- Thermometer and a sight glass in PI PSHH

the crankcase. PI

- Discharge pressure controller with

an alarm. The controller works PSLL
PALL TI VSHH VAHH
through a recycle valve.
- Discharge pressure relief valve. LG M S/D

- High discharge pressure shutdown

with an alarm. PAHH

- Discharge pressure gauge. Fig. 2-9. A Complete System

A thermal relief valve must be around any isolation valve on the PD pump suction so that internal
leakage does not over-pressure the piping.

REFERENCES

1. API STD-674, Positive Displacement Pumps -- Reciprocating.

(http://www.cssinfo.com/apigate.html)

2. API STD-675, Positive Displacement Pumps -- Controlled Volume.

(http://www.cssinfo.com/apigate.html)

3. API STD-676, Positive Displacement Pumps -- Rotary.

(http://www.cssinfo.com/apigate.html)

4. Driedger, W. C., “Controlling Centrifugal Pumps”; Hydrocarbon Processing, July 1995.

(http://www.driedger.ca/ce1_cp/CE1_CP.html)

5. API RP 750, Management of Process Hazards.

(http://www.cssinfo.com/apigate.html)

Controlling Positive Displacement Pumps http://www. driedger.ca/ce2_pdp/CE2_PDP.html Page 2-10