A recent pump reliability improvement issue might serve as a model for tackling sealing issues in modern refineries. This one concerns crude vacuum bottoms pumps and explains a North American refinery..
A recent pump reliability improvement issue might serve as a model for tackling sealing issues in modern refineries. This one concerns crude vacuum bottoms pumps and explains a North American refinery's troubled history with seal systems for its 4 in. by 6 in. by13 in. overhung top-suction/ top-discharge pumps. The operating characteristics are somewhat typical at between 750 and 800 US gpm, about 650 ft of head, 750°F, about 5 psia suction pressure, S.G. = 0.77 and 3,560 rpm.
The pumps were installed in 1972 when the refinery was commissioned; they currently have a dual-seal configuration with an API Plan 54 barrier fluid circulation arrangement (Fig. 1). The seal system consists of
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