Pump Construction

and stage Types

Centrifugal Pumps
There are two types of impellers that determine the
amount flow available for the specific design.
Centrifugal Pumps

The difference between these

two types of designs is
described by the pump
impeller vane angles and the
size and shape of the internal
flow passages.
Centrifugal Pumps

A mixed flow impeller

has vane angles at
close to 45 degrees,
and therefore, are
usually found in pump
ranges for higher flow
rates.
Centrifugal Pumps

Typical fluid flow path in a

"mixed flow" stage.
 Centrifugal Pumps

A radial flow (pancake)

impeller has vane
angles at close to 90
degrees, and
therefore, are usually
found in pump ranges
for lower flow rates.
REDA pumps come in two basic varieties:

1) Floater" construction - each impeller is free to move up

and down the shaft as it wants to so it is said to "float"
on the shaft.

2) Compression" construction - every impeller is fixed to the

shaft rigidly so that it cannot move without the shaft
moving. All the impellers are "compressed" together to
make one rigid body.
 2 Types of Stage Construction

All
Thrust Impeller
Carried Thrust
here

Pump

Is there
any Protector
Protector
thrust
Thrust
seen
Bearing
here?

Motor Motor
Thrust
Bearing

Compression Floater
"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.

The impeller is normally sitting down on its lower diffuser

during assembly due to gravity. Because of this, the pump
shaft is "raised" with shims in the coupling so that the
impeller is not allowed to touch the diffuser after final
assembly.

This allows all thrust developed in the pump shaft to be

transferred to the protector shaft directly.
 PUMP SHIMMING

Impeller is in full down

position

There is a small amount of free play in the coupling such that

the pump shaft can fall down to where the impellers ride directly

on the lower diffusers or on the downthrust washers if available.

 COMPRESSION
PUMP

BASE FLANGE

O RING
SHIM
Check Part Number

COUPLING
Check Part Number

SHAFT
HEAD
PUMP SHIMMING

When shimming 675 Series

pumps and larger (which do
not have down thrust washers),
Impeller is lifted slightly off
diffuser.

Shims placed in
coupling to raise
the shaft
PUMP SHIMMING

If we are shimming 562 Series

pumps and smaller (which have
downthrust washers) we match
the shafts flush.

Shims placed in
coupling to raise
the shaft
PUMP SHIMMING

When we are shimming ARZ -

CR pumps, with rylon thrust
washers, we drop the lowest
pump shaft and match flush the
upper pump shaft(s).

Shims placed in
coupling to raise
the shaft
PUMP SHIMMING

Consult Technical Service

Manual to determine the
appropriate shimming
recommended for every type
of pump and stage.

Shims placed in
coupling to raise
the shaft
Centrifugal Pumps

Always Refer to

TSM Shimming procedure

 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 lubricating

properties 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.
Why Use "Compression" Pumps ?

Occasionally in very gassy wells, the flow volume changes

so drastically within the pump that parts of a floater pump
could be in very severe thrust while others are not - so a
compression pump could be one alternative.

Since all the thrust is handled in the protector, as long as the

protector has a great enough capacity, the pump operating
range can be extended over a much wider area without any
increased wear or reduced life.
 Hydraulic Balance

There is a special type of compression pump called an

"hydraulic balance" type which is designated as an "HB".

This type of pump has been traditionally used in very high

downthrust applications (i.e. very many stages) where a
standard compression pump would overload the protector's
thrust bearing.
Hydraulic Balance

The HB pump is a standard

compression pump in every
respect except for the
discharge head.
Hydraulic Balance

The discharge uses a Pump

Discharge
balance piston to reduce
the pressure acting on
the top of the shaft.
Balance
Piston
 "Floater" Pumps

Why use a floater pump?

Let's look at a floating impeller in detail.

 Floating Impellers:
Since a floating impeller is free to move up and down the shaft, the
only thing to stop it is either the upper or lower diffuser.
"Thrust washers" are provided at all mating surfaces between the
impeller and diffuser to absorb any thrust generated.

Thrust
Washers
Floating Impellers:
The grey area shows the "upthrust" washer
between the impeller and upper diffuser.

Upthrust is
absorbed
here

Force
Floating Impellers:
The red area shows the "downthrust" washers
between the impeller and lower diffuser.
Force

Downthrust
is absorbed
here
Floating Impellers:

Seal here
prevents
abrasives
from getting
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.
 Why Use "Floater" Pumps?
Since each stage handles its own thrust, a 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 since they
prevent material from getting into the radial bearing area.

Floaters are much more forgiving in manufacturing since

tolerance stack-up is not a concern.

Easier field assembly - no shimming required.

Summarizing

Which type of pumps require shimming?

Where is the thrust in a floating pump?

Where is the thrust in a compression pump?

Which type of pump has vane angles close to 90 degrees?