Volumetric Pumps and Compressors

lecture notes

Csaba Hos Csaba Bazso

October 3, 2014

1
CONTENTS CONTENTS

Contents

1 Introduction 4
1.1 Pumps - general introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.1.1 Turbopumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.1.2 Positive displacement pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.2 Basic characteristics of positive displacement machines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

2 Reciprocating Pumps 11
2.1 Single-acting piston pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.2 Multiple piston pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.3 Axial piston pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.4 Radial piston pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.5 Diaphragm pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

3 Rotary pumps 18
3.1 Gear pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.1.1 External gear pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.1.2 Internal gear pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.2 Screw pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
3.3 Vane pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
3.4 Progressing cavity pump (eccentric screw pump) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.5 Peristaltic pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.6 Pulsation dampener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

4 Pressure relief valves (PRV) 27

4.1 Direct spring loaded hydraulic PRV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
4.1.1 Dynamic error . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
4.1.2 Sizing of a pressure relief valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.1.3 Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.2 Pilot operated pressure relief valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4.2.1 Operating progress of the valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4.2.2 Important details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

5 Sizing of simple hydraulic systems 33

5.1 System with motor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
5.1.1 Example for a system with motor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
5.2 System with cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
5.2.1 Example for a system with cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

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CONTENTS CONTENTS

5.3 Control techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

5.3.1 Throttle valve in parallel connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
5.3.2 Throttle valve in series connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

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 1 INTRODUCTION

1 Introduction

1.1 Pumps - general introduction

A pump is a machine that moves fluids (mostly liquids) by mechanical action. Pumps can be classified
into three major groups according to the method they use to move the fluid:

Centrifugal pumps are used to transport fluids by the conversion of rotational kinetic energy to the hydro-
dynamic energy of the fluid flow. The rotational energy typically comes from an engine or electric motor.
The fluid enters the pump impeller along or near to the rotating axis and is accelerated by the impeller.
Common uses include water, sewage, petroleum and petrochemical pumping.

Positive displacement pumps have an expanding cavity on the suction side and a decreasing cavity on the
discharge side. Liquid flows into the pumps as the cavity on the suction side expands and the liquid flows
out of the discharge as the cavity collapses. The volume is constant given each cycle of operation.

Miscellaneous pumps are the rest of the pumps, such as Eductor-jet pump, airlift pump, etc.

Pumps operate by some mechanism (typically reciprocating or rotary), and consume energy to perform
mechanical work by moving the fluid. Pumps operate via many energy sources, including manual operation,
electricity, engines, or wind power, come in many sizes, from microscopic for use in medical applications to large
industrial pumps.

Figure 1: Two examples of pumps: (left) centrifugal pump (right) positive displacement pump (piston pump)

Mechanical pumps serve in a wide range of applications such as pumping water from wells, aquarium
filtering, pond filtering and aeration, in the car industry for water-cooling and fuel injection, in the energy
industry for pumping oil and natural gas or for operating cooling towers. In the medical industry, pumps are
used for biochemical processes in developing and manufacturing medicine, and as artificial replacements for
body parts, e.g. the artificial heart.
The two most important quantities characterizing a pump are the pressure difference between the suction
and pressure side of the pump p and the flow rate delivered by the pump Q. For practical reasons, in the
case of water technology, the pressure head is usually used, which is pressure given in meters of fluid column:
p
H= g . Simple calculations reveals that for water 1 bar (105 Pa) pressure is equivalent of 10 mwc (meters of
water column).

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1.1 Pumps - general introduction 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1.1 Turbopumps

In the case of a turbopump, a rotating impeller adds energy to the fluid. The head is computed with the
help of Eulers turbine equation 
c2u u2 c1u u1  c2u u2
H= = (1)
g 
c1u=0 g
while the flow rate is
Q = D2 b2 c2m , (2)

with c2u and c1u being the circumferential component of the absolute velocity at the outlet and inlet, respectively,
u1 = D1 n and u2 = D2 n the circumferential velocities. c2m stands for the radial (meridian) component of
the absolute velocity at the outlet, D is diameter and b stand for the width of the impeller. (See Figure 2 and
Fluid Machinery lecture notes for further details.)

Figure 2: Velocity triangles on a centrifugal impeller.

Notice that the head (H) and flow rate (Q) are provided by the two component of the same velocity
vector c2 . Thus, if H increases, Q decreases and vice versa. Thus in the case of turbomachines the pressure
difference and the flow rate are directly connected and not independent. This dependency is described by the
pumps performance curve, see Figure 3.
An important quantity describing the shape of the impeller of a turbopump is the specific speed nq ,
defined as
1/2
Qopt. [m3 /s]1/2
nq = n 3/4
[rpm] . (3)
Hopt. [m]3/4

The dimension (unit) of nq is not emphasised and mostly omitted. The concept of specific speed can be used to
determine the pump type (i.e. radial/mixed/axial) which is capable of performing a pumping problem efficiently.

Example 1. We have to pump clean water to an upper reservoir at 60 m height. The nominal power of the
driving electric motor is 5 kW, its revolution number is 3000 rpm. The flow rate is (assuming 100% efficiency)

Pmotor Pmotor
Pmotor = p Q Q = = = 8.49 103 m3 /s = 509 l/min (4)
p gH

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1.1 Pumps - general introduction 1 INTRODUCTION

H,
design point

Hopt.

max. (Q)

H(Q)

Qopt. Q

Figure 3: Turbopump performance curves

Power, head,

Power, head,

Power, head,
efficiency

efficiency

efficiency
Capacity Capacity Capacity
nq
20 40 60 80 100 150 200 300

Radial-vanes Francis-vanes Mixed-flow Axial-flow

Figure 4: Turbopump performance curves

Hence the specific speed is

1/2
1/2
Qopt. 8.49 103
nq = n 3/4
= 3000 3/4
= 12.8, (5)
Hopt. (60)
which means that a centrifugal turbopump is suitable for this problem.

Example 2. Now consider the hydraulic cylinder depicted in Figure 5. The required pressure difference is now
p = 200bar = 2 107 Pa, the power and the revolution number of the driving motor is the same as before
(5kW, 3000rpm).
First, find the flow rate of the pump (again, assume 100% efficiency):

Pmotor 5000
Q= = = 2.55 104 m3 /s = 15.3 liter/min, (6)
gH 9810 2000
which gives
1/2
1/2
Qopt. 2.55 104
nq = n 3/4
= 3000 3/4
= 0.16. (7)
Hopt. (2000)

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1.1 Pumps - general introduction 1 INTRODUCTION

Figure 5: Simple sketch of a hydraulic cylinder

Comparing this value with Figure 4 we see that this value is off the chart. Such a small nq value would require
an extremely large-diameter impeller, which is very thin. Besides the problems with the high centrifugal stresses,
from the fluid mechanical point of view, such a thin impeller introduces extremely large fluid friction resulting
in poor efficiency. Thus we conclude that pumping problems resulting in high pressure difference and
low flow rates (i.e. nq < say,10) cannot be efficiently solved by centrifugal pumps.

1.1.2 Positive displacement pumps

Positive displacement pumps (PDPs) are typically used in high-pressure (above p > 10bar, up to 1000-
2000 bars) technology, with relatively low flow rate. These machines have an expanding cavity on the suction
side and a decreasing cavity on the discharge side. Liquid flows into the pumps as the cavity on the suction side
expands and the liquid flows out of the discharge as the cavity collapses. The volume is constant given each
cycle of operation.
The positive displacement pumps can be divided in two main classes (see Figures XXX)

reciprocating

piston pumps

plunger pumps

diaphragm pumps

axial/radial piston pumps

rotary

gear pumps

lobe pumps

vane pumps

progressive cavity pumps

peripheral pumps

screw pumps

PDPs, unlike a centrifugal pumps, will produce the same flow at a given motor speed (rpm) no matter
the discharge pressure, hence PDPs are constant flow machines. A PDP must not be operated against a closed
valve on the discharge (pressure) side of the pump because it has no shut-off head like centrifugal pumps: a

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1.1 Pumps - general introduction 1 INTRODUCTION

Figure 6: Some reciprocating pumps

Figure 7: Some rotary pumps

PDP operating against a closed discharge valve will continue to produce flow until the pressure in the discharge
line are increased until the line bursts or the pump is severely damaged - or both.
A relief or safety valve on the discharge side of the PDP is therefore absolute necessary. The relief valve
can be internal or external. The pump manufacturer has normally the option to supply internal relief or safety
valves. The internal valve should in general only be used as a safety precaution, an external relief valve installed
in the discharge line with a return line back to the suction line or supply tank is recommended.
Several types of PDPs can be used as motors: if fluid is driven through them (e.g. gear pump), the shaft
rotates and the same machine can be used as a motor.

8
1.2 Basic characteristics of positive displacement machines 1 INTRODUCTION

1.2 Basic characteristics of positive displacement machines

The pump displacement Vg is the volume of the liquid delivered by the pump per one revolution, as-
suming no leakage (zero pressure difference between the suction and pressure side) and neglecting the fluid
compressibility. The ideal theoretical flow rate is

Qth = nVg (8)

where Qth is theoretical flow rate (liter/min), n is the revolution number of the pump shaft (rpm) and Vg stands
for the pump displacement, (cm3 ).
In the case of pumps, the actual outflow is less than the theoretical flow rate, due to the leakages inside
the pump. These losses are taken into by the volumetric efficiency vol : Q = vol Qth = vol n Vg . Other types of
losses (sealing, bearing, fluid internal and wall friction) are all concentrated into the so-called hydromechanical
efficiency hm , which connects the input and output power: Pin hm = Pout . For pumps, Pin = M and
Pout = Qp. We have:
2M hm
hm M |{z}
2n = nVg vol p ppump = (9)
| {z } Vg vol

| {z } | Q{z }
Pin
Pout

In the case of motors, the input power is hydraulic power (Pin = Qp) and the output is rotating
mechanical power Pout = M . Due to the internal leakage, one has to push more fluid into the pump to
experience the same revolution number, hence Q = Qth /vol > Qth . We have:
nVg 2M vol
hm p = M |{z}
2n pmotor = (10)
vol Vg hm
|{z}
Q
| {z }
| {z } Pout
Pin

theoretical @ n1
H (~p) pump @ n2 pump @ n1

motor @ n2 motor @ n1

n <n
2 1

n1

Figure 8: Pump and motor performance curves for two different revolution mubers.

We conclude that for both pumps and motors,

1
Q n, Vg and p M, .
Vg
(11)

9
1.2 Basic characteristics of positive displacement machines 1 INTRODUCTION

Which means that the pressure and the flow rate are independent for a given machine. The same behaviour
can be observed on the performances curve of these machines, see Figure 8. The theoetical performance lines
are vertical for a given revolution speed, meaning that the theoretical flow rate does not change when varying
the pressure.
However, the leakage flow rate through the small internal gaps of the pumps (motors) slighty change ths
theoretical behaviour. In the case of pumps, a portion of the flow rate flows back from the pressure side to the
suction side through these gaps, hence reducing the outflow of the pump. The higher the pressure difference
is, the higher the leakage flow rate is, hence the pump performance curves tend to bend to the left from the
vertical, theoretical line. In the case of motors, where the fluid drives the shaft, we need larger flow rates to
reach the desired revolution number, hence the real curves bend to the right.

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 2 RECIPROCATING PUMPS

2 Reciprocating Pumps

Piston/plunger pumps comprise of a cylinder with a reciprocating piston/plunger in it. In the head of
the cylinder the suction and discharge valves are mounted. In the suction stroke the plunger retracts and the
suction valves opens causing suction of fluid into the cylinder. In the forward stroke the plunger push the liquid
out the discharge valve.
With only one cylinder the fluid flow varies between maximum flow when the plunger moves through the
middle positions, and zero flow when the plunger is in the end positions. A lot of energy is wasted when the
fluid is accelerated in the piping system. Vibration and water hammers may be a serious problem. In general
the problems are compensated by using two or more cylinders not working in phase with each other.
Several cylinders can be mounted to the same shaft: pumps with 1 cylinder are called simplex pumps,
duplex pumps have two cylinders (with phase shift) while triplex pumps have three pumps with 2/3 = 120
degrees phase shift. Pumps with even more pistons (5,7,9) are also common. Pumps with both sides of the
piston acting (deing in contact with the liquied) are called double-acting pumps.

2.1 Single-acting piston pumps

Outlet

Inlet

Figure 9: Single-acting piston pump

Consider the piston pump depicted in Figure 9. First, let us find the x(t) displacement of the piston as
a function of time. By virtue of the cosine law, we have
p
L2 = R2 + y(t)2 2Ry(t) cos y(t) = R cos L2 + R2 (1 cos2 ) (12)

with = t. Notice that if = 0, we must have y(0) = R + L, hence we need the plus case in the above
equation. The piston displacement is
  p 
x(t) = y(t) y() = R 1 + cos 1 1 1 + 2 (1 cos2 ) , (13)

with = R/L. Now consider the terms in the bracket. First, 1 + cos varies between 0 and 2. The second

term varies between 0 (cos = 1) and 1 1 1 + 2 (cos = 0), which gives 0.2361, 0.099 and 0.0499 for

11
2.1 Single-acting piston pumps 2 RECIPROCATING PUMPS

= R/L = 1/2, 1/5 and 1/10, respectively. Hence we conclude that if < 0.2 (which s trus for many real-life
configurations), the error due to neglecting the 1 (. . . ) term is less than 10%, which is acceptable.
Hence we approximate the piston displacement as

x(t) R (1 + cos (t)) , v(t) R sin (t) and a(t) R 2 cos (t) . (14)

As flow rate is Q = Av and the stroke is s = 2R, the instantaneous pressure side flow rate is (see also Figure
10)
A s cos(t)

if < = t < 2
2
Q(t) = (15)
0

if 0 < = t <

The mean flow rate is computed by finding the volume of the fluid pushed to the pressure side in one period,
divided by the length of the period:
Qmean = Asn, (16)

that is, we have Vg = As, see (8). The maximum flow rate is (see (15))

s
Qmax = A = Asn = Qmean . (17)
2

x(t)
s/2

T 2T
t

-s/2

Q(t)
As/2

T 2T
t

-As/2

Figure 10: Piston displacement (upper panel) and flow rate ( velocity) curves of a single-acting piston pump.

Notice that this means that these pumps induce an extremely unsteady flow rate in the pipeline system,
that varies from Qmin = 0 flow rate up to Qmax = Qmean with a frequency of n (driving motor revolution
number). There are two ways of reducing this pulsation: (a) by using multiple pistons or (b) adding a pulsation
damper.

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2.2 Multiple piston pumps 2 RECIPROCATING PUMPS

2.2 Multiple piston pumps

The pulsation can be reduced by adding several pistons with an evenly distributed phase shift, see e.g.
Figure 11.

Outlet

Inlet

Figure 11: Double-acting piston pump

If we have three pistons (triplex), the flow rates are

Q1 (t) = max(0, Asn cos(t))

2
Q2 (t) = max(0, Asn cos(t )) and
3
2
Q3 (t) = max(0, Asn cos(t 2 )).
3
The overall flow rate is Q(t) = Q1 (t) + Q2 (t) + Q3 (t). Let us define the pulsation factor measuring the relative
flow rate change as
Qmax Qmin
= [%]. (18)
Qmean
For example, for a single-acting pump we have

Qmax Qmin Qmean 0

= = = = 314 % (19)
Qmean Qmean

Similar calculation for other number of pistons gives the values in Table 1. Figure 12 depicts the flow rate
for several numbers of pistons, where dashed lines are the individual flow rates while solid lines are the pump
flow rate (sum of the piston flow rates) and the pulsation factor as a function of the piston number. Notice that
if the number of pistons is odd (e.g. 3,5,7,9), the pulsation number is significantly lower.

Number of pistons 1 2 3 4 5 9
% 315 157 14 33 5 1.5

Table 1: Flow rate pulsation level as a function of the piston number.

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2.2 Multiple piston pumps 2 RECIPROCATING PUMPS

N=1 N=2

1 1

0.5 0.5

0 0
0 T/2 T 3T/2 2T 0 T/2 T 3T/2 2T
N=3 N=4

1
1
0.5

0 0
0 T/2 T 3T/2 2T 0 T/2 T 3T/2 2T
N=5 N=6

2
1
1

0 0
0 T/2 T 3T/2 2T 0 T/2 T 3T/2 2T
N=7 N=8

2
2
1
0 0
0 T/2 T 3T/2 2T 0 T/2 T 3T/2 2T
3
10

2
pulsation factor [%]

10

1
10

0
10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Number of pistons

Figure 12: Pulsation factor as a function of the piston number.

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2.3 Axial piston pumps 2 RECIPROCATING PUMPS

2.3 Axial piston pumps

An axial piston pump is a positive displacement pump that has a number of pistons in a circular array
within a cylinder block. It can be used as a stand-alone pump, a hydraulic motor or an automotive air
conditioning compressor. Axial piston pumps are used to power the hydraulic systems of jet aircrafts, being
gear-driven off of the turbine engines main shaft. The system used on the F-14 used a 9-piston pump that
produced a standard system operating pressure of 3000 psi and a maximum flow of 84 gallons per minute.
Advantages:

high efficiency

high pressure (up to 1,000 bar)

low flow and pressure ripple (due to the small dead volume in the workspace of the pumping piston)

low noise level

high reliability

Axial piston units are available in the form of pumps and motors in bent axis design or swashplate
design for medium- and high-pressure ranges. They are the main components in the hydrostatic transmission.
Compact size and high power density, economy and reliability are characteristic advantages which speak for the
use of hydrostatic transmissions, together with the fact that they meet the demand for high speed and high
torque, as well as optimum efficiency.

Figure 13: Axial piston pump

2.4 Radial piston pumps

In a radial piston pump the working pistons extend in a radial direction symmetrically around the drive
shaft, in contrast to the axial piston pump. These kinds of piston pumps are characterized by the following
advantages:

high efficiency

high pressure (up to 1,000 bar)

low flow and pressure ripple (due to the small dead volume in the workspace of the pumping piston)

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2.5 Diaphragm pumps 2 RECIPROCATING PUMPS

low noise level

very high load at lowest speed due to the hydrostatically balanced parts possible

no axial internal forces at the drive shaft bearing

high reliability

A disadvantage are the bigger radial dimensions in comparison to the axial piston pump, but it could be
compensated with the shorter construction in axial direction.
Due to the hydrostatically balanced parts it is possible to use the pump with various hydraulic fluids
like mineral oil, biodegradable oil, HFA (oil in water), HFC (water-glycol), HFD (synthetic ester) or cutting
emulsion. That implies the following main applications for a radial piston pump: machine tools (e.g., displace
of cutting emulsion, supply for hydraulic equipment like cylinders)

high pressure units (HPU) (e.g., for overload protection of presses)

test rigs

automotive sector (e.g., automatic transmission, hydraulic suspension control in upper-class cars)

plastic- and powder injection moulding

wind energy

Figure 14: Radial piston pump

2.5 Diaphragm pumps

A diaphragm pump (also known as a membrane pump) is a positive displacement pump that uses a
combination of the reciprocating action of a rubber, thermoplastic or teflon diaphragm and suitable valves
either side of the diaphragm (check valve, butterfly valves, flap valves, or any other form of shut-off valves) to
pump a fluid. The advantages of these pumps are:

They provide leakage-free sealing, which can be important when pumping highly aggressive or toxic fluids.

They have good suction lift characteristics, some are low pressure pumps with low flow rates; others are
capable of higher flow rates, dependent on the effective working diameter of the diaphragm and its stroke
length.

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2.5 Diaphragm pumps 2 RECIPROCATING PUMPS

They can handle sludges and slurries with a relatively high amount of grit and solid content.

Suitable for discharge pressure up to 1200 bar

They have good dry running characteristics.

Good efficiency (can be up to 97%)

Can handle highly viscous liquids.

However, as they are single (or sometimes double-acting) piston pumps, these pumps cause a pulsating
flow that may cause water hammer, which can be minimised by using a pulsation dampener.

Figure 15: Diaphragm pump

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 3 ROTARY PUMPS

3 Rotary pumps

3.1 Gear pumps

This is the simplest of rotary positive displacement pumps consisting of two meshed gears rotating in a
closely fitted casing. Fluid is pumped around the outer periphery by being trapped in the tooth spaces. It does
not travel back on the meshed part, since the teeth mesh closely in the centre. It is widely used on car engine
oil pumps, and also in various hydraulic power packs.
There are two main variations; external gear pumps which use two external spur gears, and internal gear
pumps which use an external and an internal spur gear. Some gear pumps are designed to function as either a
motor or a pump.

Figure 16: (left) external gear pump (right) internal gear pump

3.1.1 External gear pumps

Advantages:

High speed

High pressure

Relatively quiet operation

Disadvantages:

Four bushings in liquid area

No solids allowed

Fixed end clearances

Common external gear pump applications include, but are not limited to:

Various fuel oils and lube oils

Chemical additive and polymer metering

Chemical mixing and blending (double pump)

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3.1 Gear pumps 3 ROTARY PUMPS

Industrial and mobile hydraulic applications (log splitters, lifts, etc.)

Acids and caustic (stainless steel or composite construction)

3.1.2 Internal gear pumps

Advantages:

Only two moving parts

Only one stuffing box

Non-pulsating discharge

Excellent for high-viscosity liquids

Operates well in either directions

Low NPSH required

Single adjustable end clearance

Easy to maintain

Disadvantages:

Usually requires moderate speeds

Medium pressure limitations

One bearing runs in the product pumped

Common internal gear pump applications include, but are not limited to:

All varieties of fuel oil and lube oil

Resins and polymers

Alcohols and solvents

Asphalt, bitumen, and tar

Food products such as corn syrup, chocolate, and peanut butter

Paint, inks, and pigments

Soaps and surfactants

Glycol

19
3.2 Screw pump 3 ROTARY PUMPS

3.2 Screw pump

Screw pumps feature two or three screws with opposing thread, that is, one screw turns clockwise, and
the other counterclockwise. The screws are each mounted on shafts that run parallel to each other; the shafts
also have gears on them that mesh with each other in order to turn the shafts together and keep everything
in place. The turning of the screws, and consequently the shafts to which they are mounted, draws the fluid
through the pump. As with other forms of rotary pumps, the clearance between moving parts and the pumps
casing is minimal.

Figure 17: (left) simple screw pump (right) double-screw pump used for pumping crude oil

Advantages:

Practically pulsation-free flow

low fluid velocities not sensitive for e.g. sand content

Disadvantages:

Expensive

3.3 Vane pump

Advantages:

Handles thin liquids at relatively higher pressures

Sometimes preferred for solvents, LPG

Can run dry for short periods

Develops good vacuum

Disadvantages:

Not suitable for high pressures

Not suitable for high viscosity

Not good with abrasives

20
3.4 Progressing cavity pump (eccentric screw pump) 3 ROTARY PUMPS

Applications:

Aerosol and Propellants

Aviation Service - Fuel Transfer, Deicing

Auto Industry - Fuels, Lubes, Refrigeration Coolants

Bulk Transfer of LPG and NH3

LPG Cylinder Filling

Alcohols

Refrigeration - Freons, Ammonia

Figure 18: Vane pump

3.4 Progressing cavity pump (eccentric screw pump)

Widely used for pumping difficult materials such as sewage sludge contaminated with large particles, this
pump consists of a helical shaped rotor, about ten times as long as its width. This can be visualized as a central
core of diameter x, with typically a curved spiral wound around of thickness half x, although of course in reality
it is made from one casting. This shaft fits inside a heavy duty rubber sleeve, of wall thickness typically x also.
As the shaft rotates, fluid is gradually forced up the rubber sleeve. Such pumps can develop very high pressure
at quite low volumes.

3.5 Peristaltic pump

A peristaltic pump is a type of positive displacement pump used for pumping a variety of fluids. The fluid
is contained within a flexible tube fitted inside a circular pump casing (though linear peristaltic pumps have
been made). A rotor with a number of rollers, shoes or wipers attached to the external circumference
compresses the flexible tube. As the rotor turns, the part of the tube under compression closes (or occludes)
thus forcing the fluid to be pumped to move through the tube. Additionally, as the tube opens to its natural

21
3.5 Peristaltic pump 3 ROTARY PUMPS

Figure 19: Progressive cavity pump.

state after the passing of the cam (restitution) fluid flow is induced to the pump. This process is called
peristalsis and is used in many biological systems such as the gastrointestinal tract.
Advantages

No contamination. Because the only part of the pump in contact with the fluid being pumped is the
interior of the tube, it is easy to sterilize and clean the inside surfaces of the pump.

Low maintenance needs. Their lack of valves, seals and glands makes them comparatively inexpensive to
maintain.

They are able to handle slurries, viscous, shear-sensitive and aggressive fluids.

Pump design prevents backflow and syphoning without valves.[5]

Disadvantages

The flexible tubing will tend to degrade with time and require periodic replacement.

The flow is pulsed, particularly at low rotational speeds. Therefore, these pumps are less suitable where
a smooth consistent flow is required. An alternative type of positive displacement pump should then be
considered.

22
3.5 Peristaltic pump 3 ROTARY PUMPS

Figure 20: Peristaltic pump

23
3.6 Pulsation dampener 3 ROTARY PUMPS

3.6 Pulsation dampener

A pulsation dampener is an accumulator with a set pre-charge that absorbs system shocks while mini-
mizing pulsations, pipe vibration, water hammering and pressure fluctuations. By minimizing pulsation in the
system components like regulators, solenoids, sensors, etc., pumps will see decreased wear and have longer life.
Pulsation dampeners are tied directly onto the discharge manifold or plumbed immediately downstream of the
pump.

Figure 21: Pulsation dampener.

The sizing of the dampener goes as follows. The instantaneous and mean flow rate for a single piston
pump is
Qmax
Q(t) = Qmax sin(t) and Qmean = , where Qmax = AD sn. (20)

PN
The pump flow rate is Qp (t) = i=1 Qi (t), where Qi is the flow rate of the ith piston, i.e. (20) shifted
with an angle of i = (i 1) 2/N , N being the number of pistons. The average flow rate of the pump is
Qp,mean = N Qmean .
The flow rate entering the damper is

Qd (t) = Qp (t) Qp,mean , (21)

while the volume of fluid entering (or leaving) the damper up to time t is
Z
Vd (t) = Qd (t)dt. (22)

In the case of a single piston, we have

1
if 0 t T2


max sin(t)
Q
Qd (t) = and (23)
Qmax / if T2 t T

1 t
if 0 t T2


max (cos(t) 1)
Q
Vd (t) = (24)
tQmax / if T t T.
2

24
3.6 Pulsation dampener 3 ROTARY PUMPS

The above expression for Vd also ensures that Vd (0) = 0. Maximum and minimum volume occurs at
Qp = 0, i.e.
1 0.3239
tmin = arcsin tmin = T = 0.0516 T. (25)
2
1 0.3239
tmax = arcsin tmax = T = 0.4484 T. (26)
2
The corresponding volumes are

Vmin = 0.0081 Qmax T = 0.0081 Qmean T and Vmin = 0.1673 Qmax T = 0.5256Vstroke , (27)
| {z } | {z }
0.0256 Vstroke

hence the total volume variation on the damper is

V = Vmax Vmin = 0.55Vstroke (28)

A similar calculation for a double-acting piston gives

tmin = 0.1098 T, tmax = 0.3902 T and V = Vmax Vmin = 0.2105Vstroke (29)

For pumps with 3 or 4 pistons, the analytical derivation is cumbersome, instead, one can simply plot the
graphs and evaluate the results numerically giving V = 0.009Vstroke for triplex and V = 0.044Vstroke for
four-cylinder pumps, see Figure 22. The volume change is given in the percentage of the stroke:

N = 1 2 3 4
V = Vstroke , with
= 0.55 0.21 0.044 0.009
(30)

Now let us find the pressure pulsation of the gas due to the fluid volume change V . We start off by
defining the pre-charge pressure ppc (e.g. 80% of system pressure), at which the gas volume is V0 (i.e. the
nominal volume of the damper) and the required level of damping = (pmax pmin )/psys . The corresponding
gas volumes will be Vmax (corresponding to pmin ) and Vmin (corresponding to pmax ). At system pressure, the
g g
the gas volume is Vsys . We also have Vmax = Vmin + V .
Notice that if the process is isotherm (which is usually true in real-life cases), we have)
pmax pmin p V
= = (31)
psys psys Vsys
We also have
V0 V0 V0
pmin = ppc , psys = ppc and pmax = ppc , (32)
Vmax Vsys Vmin
and the pressure pulsation level is
V Vstroke
= = ppc (33)
Vsys V0 psys
hence the required dampener volume is
Vstroke
V0 = ppc
psys
(34)

Example. We have a duplex pump (N = 2, = 0.2105) with s = 60mm stroke and D = 63mm diameter.

D2
The stroke volume is Vstroke = 4 s = 0.187 liter

25
3.6 Pulsation dampener 3 ROTARY PUMPS

N=1, dV=55.1% N=2, dV=21.2%

60 60

% of piston stroke

% of piston stroke
40 40

20 20

0 0

20 20
0 T/2 T 0 T/2 T

N=3, dV=0.9% N=4, dV=4.3%

60 60
% of piston stroke

% of piston stroke
40 40

20 20

0 0

20 20
0 T/2 T 0 T/2 T

Figure 22: Volume change in the pressure dampener for different number of pistons.

The precharge pressure is set to 80% of system pressure: ppc /psys = 0.8

The required level of damping is = 5%.

0.21050.187
The nominal dampener volume is V0 = 0.80.05 = 0.984 1 liter.

26
 4 PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES (PRV)

4 Pressure relief valves (PRV)

As we have seen, the flow rate of a PDP is hardly affected by the system pressure, hence even if the flow
rate need of the system is zero, the pump will convey the flow rate into the system. In such cases, the system
pressure quickly rises and, if not vented, some component will break leading to a failure in the system. To
prevent such problems, pressure relief valve (PRV) must are mounted as close to the pump as possible.
These devices open above a set pressure allowing controlled backflow to the the tank. If the system
pressure is below the st pressure, the PRV remains closed and does not affect the system behaviour. There are
two main types:

Direct spring loaded: Usually used for low flow rate.

Pilot operated: High flow rate.

4.1 Direct spring loaded hydraulic PRV

Direct spring loaded pressure relief valves (DSLPRV) are simple and robust. The spool is balanced by a
spring (upper side) and the pressure force (lower side). Note that the flow-through area varies with the valve
lift (see Figures 23 and 24).

spring

spool

Q to system

Figure 23: Direct spring loaded hydraulic PRV

The force balance of the spool reads

s (x + x0 ) = Ap. (35)

sx0
p
The set pressure, at which the valve opens is given by pset = A . In general, the flow rate is Q = Cd Af t 2p/.

27
4.1 Direct spring loaded hydraulic PRV 4 PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES (PRV)

xmax
Q
x

Figure 24: Detail of a direct spring loaded hydraulic PRV

However, it should be noted that the flow-through area varies with the valve lift:




0 for x < 0
 q
C A (x) 2 p = C D Ap x

q
2
d ft d
s
0 p for 0 < x < xmax
Q(p) = (36)

| {z }


x
q
Cd Dxmax 2 p

for x > xmax

Note that in the middle range, we have

r
A 2 x0 s  p p
Q(p) = Cd D p p (p pset ) p, (37)
s A
that is, it is zero if p = 0 and p = pset . Moreover, for 0 p pset this function is negative, for p > pset ,
the flow rate is proportional to p3/2 . The actual plot is shown in Figure 26.

Q ( p-pset) p

p
xmax

pset p

Figure 25: Q(p) curve of a direct spring loaded hydraulic PRV

p in normal operation: p p = p3/2 it is between p . . . p3/2 . . . p2 The usual way of
plotting the characteristic curve is inverse (also in catalogue): Note: pstatic (0.01 . . . 0.1)pset .

4.1.1 Dynamic error

When it opens quickly. Note: pdyn can be 2 . . . 3 times bigger than pset .

28
4.1 Direct spring loaded hydraulic PRV 4 PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES (PRV)

pstatic error
pset
normal operation overload

Qnominal Q

Figure 26: Inverse Q(p) curve of a direct spring loaded hydraulic PRV

dynamic error

pset

Figure 27: Dynamic error of a direct spring loaded hydraulic PRV

4.1.2 Sizing of a pressure relief valve

Qpump,max < QPRV,max (38)

Figure 28: Standard symbol of PRV

4.1.3 Examples

4.1.3.1 Hydraulic aggregate Pump and PRV.

29
4.1 Direct spring loaded hydraulic PRV 4 PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES (PRV)

Qsystem

Qpump Qvalve

Figure 29: Hydraulic aggregate

Qpump Q

Figure 30: 19 caption

4.1.3.2 In gas systems Natural gas industry.

30
4.1 Direct spring loaded hydraulic PRV 4 PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES (PRV)

Good Bad

Figure 31: 20 caption

to system

from reservoir

Figure 32: PRV used in natural gas industry

31
4.2 Pilot operated pressure relief valve 4 PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES (PRV)

4.2 Pilot operated pressure relief valve

As Qnominal increases, the static error also increases. In this case we can use pilot operated PRV.

pstat. error

Figure 33: Static error of a direct spring loaded PRV

 r
Ap 2
Q = Cd D x0 p (39)
s

Let Qnominal be given: Q at pmax

sx0
pset be given: pset = A

If higher flow rate is needed: increase D.

sx0 sx0
= D2 = pset (40)
A 4

Increase s (stiffer spring)) or x0 (higher precompression) to keep pset as constant value.

However the slope of the curve in the normal operation:
 2 r
D3 3 p
 
d d D 2 3/2
Q= Cd D 4 p p (41)
dp dp s
s 2

and s D2 .

sx0
4.2.0.3 1st choise Let s D2 . pset = D2
remains constant. Slope static error D.
4

4.2.0.4 2nd choise s is constant x0 D2 slope D3 . Too high static error! Solution: pilot operated
PRV.

4.2.1 Operating progress of the valve

Pressure drops because of the fixed orifice the spool moves upwards it opens the main opening.

4.2.2 Important details

Right location of the soft and hard springs

Fixed orifice

32
 5 SIZING OF SIMPLE HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS

main, hard spring

pilot

soft spring
fixed orifice

main opening

Q to system

spool

pump

Figure 34: Pilot operated PRV

5 Sizing of simple hydraulic systems

33
5.1 System with motor 5 SIZING OF SIMPLE HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS

5.1 System with motor

Figure 35: Hydraulic aggregate with motor

User data: Mmotor , nmotor

Sizing: Vg,pump , pset , Vg,motor , control

5.1.1 Example for a system with motor

Mmotor = 100 Nm, nmotor = 1500 rpm

5.1.1.1 Motor
Qphm = M 2n (42)

p M and Q n Vg
From catalogue: p = 280 bar size: 23 Mmotor = 105 Nm and Vg = 23.5 cm3

Qmotor = Vg nmotor = 23.5 103 l/min 1.5 103 1/min = 35.25 l/min (43)

Output of the sizing: p, Q. In this calculation

= 1.

5.2 System with cylinder

Figure 36: Hydraulic aggregate with cylinder

User data: F , v
D
Sizing: Vg,pump , pset , d, control

D
5.2.0.2 Piston control valve From catalogue: Vg,pump , Vg,motor , d

34
5.3 Control techniques 5 SIZING OF SIMPLE HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS

Figure 37: Symbol of the piston control valve

from pump to system

Figure 38: Piston control valve with cylinder

5.2.1 Example for a system with cylinder

Mmotor = 100 Nm, nmotor = 1500 rpm

nVg p = M 2n (44)
M 2n 2M 2100 2100
p = = = = = 220 bar (45)
nVg Vg Vg 28.5 106
Q = Vg nmotor = 28.5 1.5 = 42.75 l/min (46)

Pick size 28. The aggregate should provide this flow rate at the p pressure.

5.2.1.1 Pump Driving motor speed: npump = 3000 rpm

Qpump 28.5 l/min

Qpump = npump Vg,pump Vg,pump = = = 14.25 cm3 (47)
npump 3000 rpm

Pick Vg,pump = 16 cm3 . With the new value:

Qpump = npump Vg,pump = 3000 rpm 16 cm3 = 48 l/min (48)

5.2.1.2 Set pressure of the PRV 120 % of the highest expected system pressure.

pset := 1.2 220 = 264 bar (49)

Qnom,PRV > 42.8 l/min (capacity of PRV).

5.3 Control techniques

Throttle valve in parallel connection

Throttle valve in series connection

35
5.3 Control techniques 5 SIZING OF SIMPLE HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS

Frequency converter

Special pump: variable displacement motor, variable Vg

Motor speeed (n) changing

5.3.1 Throttle valve in parallel connection

Qp Qv Qm

Figure 39: System with throttle valve in parallel connection

p is the same. PRV is closed.

5.3.2 Throttle valve in series connection

pv

pm

Figure 40: System with throttle valve in series connection

Q is the same. PRV is open.

36