Centrifugal Pump
Centrifugal Pumps
The term “centrifugal pump” has been used
to describe a wide variety of pumping
applications and designs throughout the
years.
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Centrifugal Pump
dependent) of impellers
equipped with vanes, inside
a closely fitted diffuser,
located in series an axial
shaft, driven by the electrical
motor.
Centrifugal Pump
Upthrust Washer
Impeller
Diffuser
HEAD
• Curves for centrifugal Head: The height
pumps are normally to which the pump
will "lift" the fluid
shown as flow versus
head in feet, meters,
or some other
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consistent unit.
Propane Water Oil
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10000
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5000
50 2.50 50%
40 2.00 40%
30 1.50 30%
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20 1.00 20%
10 0.50 10%
Gravity: F=mA
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F
Is this force downward,
upward or neutral?
Impeller Thrust – Force #2
Pressure: F = Press x Area
High Pressure
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Low Pressure
Is this force downward,
upward or neutral?
Impeller Thrust – Force #3
Momentum: F = d(mass) d(velocity)
x velocity + x mass
d(time) d(time)
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impeller?
Impeller Thrust
Pressure: If we could lower the pressure on the top of the
impeller as shown, this would reduce the thrust.
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+ =
Impeller Thrust
Pressure: By using a "balance ring" between the impeller and
diffuser and drilling "balance holes" in the upper
impeller skirt, we can recirculate lower pressure
fluid over the majority of the upper surface.
High Pressure
Efficiency
Types of Losses
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Pump Descriptions and Names
The series designations are defined as:
Type Series Outside Minimum
Diameter Casing Size
A 338 3.38” 4 ½”
D 400 4.00” 5 ½”
G 540 5.13” 6 5/8”
S 538 5.38” 7”
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H 562 5.63” 7”
J 675 6.75” 8 5/8”
L 738 7.25” 9 5/8”
M 862 8.63” 10 ¾”
N 950 9.5” 11 ¾”
950 10.00” 11 ¾”
P 1125 11.25” 13 3/8”
DN 1300
Pump Descriptions and Names:
• N = NiResist
• R = 5530
• V = Type 4
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resist.
1400 = the best efficiency flow rate
(60 Hz : 3500 RPM) in barrels per day.
Pump naming conventions
A D950 indicates:
D = 400 series, or 4.0” diameter
950 = 950 bpd flow rate
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A radial flow
(pancake) impeller
has vane angels at
close to 90 degree,
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usually found in
pump ranges for
higher flow rates.
Pump Construction
There are two types of pump stage
construction for ESP oil field applications:
Floater - Type
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Compression - Type
2 Types of Stage Construction
Pump
Down Impeller
Thrust Thrust
Compression Carried
here
Floater
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Protector
Thrust
Bearing
Motor
Thrust
Bearing
"Compression" Pumps
In a compression pump, all the impellers are rigidly fixed to
the shaft so that if an impeller wants to move up or down, it
will take the shaft with it.
position
Shims placed in
coupling to raise
the shaft
Why use Compression Pumps?
• Some stages generate too much thrust to be handled by a thrust
washer in the stage.
• Some fluids (e.g. liquid propane) do not have enough lubricity to
properly lubricate a thrust washer.
• If abrasives or corrosives are present, it may be beneficial to handle
the thrust in an area lubricated by motor oil rather than well fluid.
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Thrust
Washers
Floating Impellers:
The blue area shows the "upthrust" washer between
the impeller and upper diffuser.
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Upthrust is
absorbed
here
Force
Floating Impellers:
The blue area shows the "downthrust" washers between the
impeller and lower diffuser.
Force
Downthrust
is absorbed
here
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Floating Impellers:
Seal here
prevents
abrasives
from getting
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into washer
We lose efficiency in the upthrust position because of
the fluid's ability to recirculate from the high pressure
to low pressure eye area. In addition to loss in
efficiency, this can promote erosion in the diffuser in
abrasive fluids.
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Why use floater pumps?
• Since each stage handles its own thrust, a very
large number of stages can be put in a pump
without having to worry about protector bearing
capacity.
• Floaters are also very good with mild abrasives
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