POSITIVE

DISPLACEMENT
PUMPS

A Presentation on

FAUJI FERTILIER BIN QASIM LIMITED

Presented by
Muhammad Yasin
staff Engineer

INTRODUCTION
Among the earliest forms of machines
which substituted natural energy for
human

muscular

effort,

pump

essentially stands unchallenged. Water

wheels

or

Persian

wheels

can

regarded as earliest forms of pumps.

be

CLASSIFICATIONS
Pumps may be classified on the basis of:
1-

Applications they serve

2-

Materials of construction

3-

Liquids to be handled

4-

Orientation in space

More basic system of classification is:

1- Principle of energy addition to fluid
2- Identification of means of implementation of above
principle

CATEGORIES OF PUMPS:
There are two categories of pumps:
a)

Dynamic Pumps

b)

Displacement Pumps

CATEGORIES OF PUMPS:
DYNAMIC PUMPS
In dynamic pumps, energy is continuously added to increase
the fluid velocities within the machine to valves, in excess of
those occurring at discharge, such that subsequent velocity
reduction within or beyond the pumps produces a pressure
increase.
DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
In displacement pumps, energy is periodically added by the
application of force to one or more movable boundaries of
any desired number of enclosed fluid containing volumes,
resulting in a direct increase in pressure up to the valve,
required to move the liquid through valve or ports into the
discharge line.

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

Whenever solid is immersed in a liquid, it will displace a
volume of liquid equal to its own volume. A pump that
moves liquid by displacing it with a solid is called positive
displacement pump. Displacing solid may be piston, plunger,
Diaphragm etc.
In positive displacement pumps, when the displacing solid
moves back & forth, the pump is a reciprocating type and
when the displacing solid rotates, it is a rotary type positive
displacement pump.

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

RATINGS

Pumps are rated using the following parameters:

CAPACITY
The volume of liquid a pump moves in a given period of time is
called pump's capacity.
Capacity is usually expressed in pounds per minute or Gallons
per minute.
To calculate actual capacity in pounds per minute following
steps may be followed.
1. Calculate capacity in ft3 / min.
2. Multiply this capacity by 62.4 to get the result in lb / min.
3. Multiply by specific gravity of liquid being pumped.

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

SLIP
It is capacity loss as percentage of suction capacity. It
involves certain losses and leakages.
BACK PRESSURE
The pressure required to get a given flow is called its back
pressure. For larger flow rates, high back pressure is required.
PULSATION
It can be defined as strong shocks resulting from start and
stop of flow during each stroke.
VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCV
Volumetric efficiency is defined as ratio of actual capacity to
theoretical capacity. Good volumetric efficiency falls in a range of 70
to 85 %

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

DISPLACEMENT
The volume of liquid that the pump could move in one
revolution if there were no leakage or loss in the pumps
displacement.
HORSE POWER
Horsepower is a measure of the output of the prime mover or
pump's driver. One horsepower may be defined as the energy
needed to lift 33,000 pounds to one foot in one minute.
MECHANICAL HORSEPOWER is the horsepower received from prime
mover.
FLUID HORSEPOWER is the horsepower transmitted to liquid or fluid.

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY
It is defined as the percentage of horsepower received that
is actually applied to pumping liquid.
OVER ALL EFFICIENCY
It is defined as ratio of fluid horsepower to mechanical horsepower.

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

GENERAL FEATURES
TYPES OF ENDS
Positive displacement pumps have two ends
1. Power End
2. Liquid End
Power end is the driving end of the pump and liquid end is the
end being driven by the power end.
Power end usually consists of a 'Crank and Throw' device or a
'Direct Acting Steam Engine', while liquid end consists of
Pumping Mechanism
i.e. Solid Lining, Displacing Solids, Valve mechanism, Ports and
other associated parts.
A positive displacement pump may be a reciprocating type or
rotary type Pump.

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

RECIPROCATING TYPE P.D. PUMP
In

reciprocating

type

positive

displacement

pumps,

the

movement of displacing solid is To & Fro motion.

ROTARY TYPE PUMPS
In rotary type P.D. Pumps, the rotary motion of displacing solid
moves the liquid.

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

MAJOR DIFFERENCES OF ROTARY AND RECIPROCATING
POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS:
1.

Movement of displacing solids

2.

Existence of valves

3.

Discharge flow characteristics

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

FLOW OF LIQUID CORRESPONDING TO STROKE OF
DISPLACING SOLID
A reciprocating pump can also be categorized on the basis of
flow of liquid corresponding to stroke of displacing solid.
SINGLE ACTING PUMP,
In single acting pumps, the flow of liquid is during half of
stroke i.e suction and discharge take place on only one side
of displacing solid.
DOUBLE ACTING PUMP
If the flow of liquid is almost continuous in a complete stroke of
displacing solid, the pump is said to be a double acting pump.
In this type of pump the action of Suction and Discharge is
happening independently on both the sides of displacing solid.

RECIPROCATING POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS
These are the power pumps having:
a)

Constant Speed

b)

Constant Torque

c)

Nearly Constant Capacity

The displacing solid may be a piston or plunger, which is driven

by a crank shaft from an external frame.
Capacity of these pumps fluctuates with the number of
plungers or pistons. Increasing the number of pistons or
plungers decreases the capacity variations at a given r.p.m.
These pumps are usually designed for a specific speed,
pressure, capacity and horsepower.

RECIPROCATING POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS
If the pump is double acting, the two ends are said to be Head
End and Crank End. Crank end being the connecting rod side
of piston or plunger.
Plunger pumps are usually used for high pressure and antisticking services.
Piston and plungers are made of cast iron, steel, stone ware,
hard rubber or stainless steel, depending upon the nature of
liquid to be pumped. Sometimes acid resistants as rubber,
porcelain etc, are used for specific applications.
These pumps are constructed horizontally as well as vertically.
For vertical plunger pumps special sealing arrangement is used
as fluid / liquid end is above power end.

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

Difference Between Plunger and Piston Pump

Piston fits close to the walls of cylinder, while plunger is

not close to the walls of cylinder.

Piston is larger in diameter than plunger for the same

diameter of cylinder or liner.

Piston remains inside the cylinder while plunger extends

outside the cylinder.

Piston has rings for sealing while plunger uses outside

packing.

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

DESIGN
Plunger & piston pumps are designed, based on following criteria:

Brake Horse Power:

Q x Ptd
Bhp = 1714xME
Where
Q

= Delivered capacity, GPM

Ptd = Delivered pressure, PSI

ME

= Mechanical efficiency in percent

CAPACITY
It is the total volume of liquid delivered per unit of time.

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

DISPLACEMENT
Displacement, D, gpm is the calculated capacity of pump with
no slip loss.
For single acting pump
D=Axmxnxs
3.2 1
Where: A = Cross sectional area of plunger or piston in
square inches
m = Number of plungers or pistons
n = RPMofpump
s = Stroke of pump
231 = Cubic inches per gallon
For double Acting pump
D = |(2A-a) m x n x s
231
Where:
a = Cross sectional area of piston rod in square
inches.

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

PRESSURE
The pressure used for calculating BHP is the differential
pressure developed across suction & discharge. As suction
pressure is nominal so discharge pressure is normally
used.

SLIP,
Slip 'S' is capacity loss expressed as percentage of
Suction Capacity
S= Bl+Vi
Where:
B1= Stuffing box loss (negligible)
V1= Valve loss (2 to 10%)
Slip also changes with viscosity.

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

SPEED
Speed of a pump is limited by valve condition and suction conditions.

The normal speed range for pumps is 300 to 800 rpm.

At full load, pressure and speed, Mechanical efficiency ranges
from 90 to 95% depending upon size, speed and construction
of pump.
If built in gear in part of power frame of a pump, the
mechanical efficiency falls between 80 and 85%.

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

LIQUID END CONSTRUCTION
Liquid end consists of
i.

Cylinder

ii.

Plunger or piston

iii. Valves
iv. Stuffing Box
v.

Manifolds

vi. Cylinder Head

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

CYLINDER
It is the containing solid of piston or plunger. If the cylinder
contains passages for more than one plungers it is called a
single cylinder but if used for one plunger only, its known as
individual cylinder.

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

PLUNGER OR PISTON
Plunger:
It is the displacing solid contained in the cylinder. Plunger
may be solid upto the diameter of 5 inches. For greater
diameters they may be hollow depending upon design. Their
speeds usually fall between 150 to 350 feet per minute.
Small diameter plungers may be used for discharge pressures
upto 6,000 psi (414 bar). Plungers are normally used for
higher pressure ranges.

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

PLUNGER OR PISTON
Piston:
It is also the displacing solid contained in the cylinder. Piston
pumps may be used for pressure ranges upto
2000 psi (138 bar).
Pistons are frequently used in Duplex Double acting pumps.
The latest trend is to use single acing pumps on triplex
pumps.

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

Valves:
Valves are on the suction side as well as discharge side.
These are unidirectional valves and their number varies as
per design requirements. Some times same size of valves are
used on suction and discharge side for interchangeability.
Suction valve may be bigger in size than discharge valve for
NPSHR reasons. The discharge valve may be greater than
suction valve if discharge valve is on the top of suction valve.

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

STUFFING BOX:
It consists of a box, bushings, packings and glands. Stuffing
box is used to prevent leakage along plunger.

MANIFOLDS:
These are the chambers where liquid is dispersed or collected
for distribution before or after passing through cylinders.

CVLINDER LINER:

Cylinder liner is replaceable part inside the cylinder. It is

usually made of Nickel resist material and is brittle in nature.
Sometimes valve covers, for accessibility to valves and
plunger and cylinder heads are also provided on the liquid
end.

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

POWER END CONSTRUCTION:
Power end consists of:
i.

Crank Shaft

ii.

Connecting Rod

iii.

Cross head

iv.

Pong Rods

v.

Bearings

vi.

Frame

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

POWER END CONSTRUCTION:
CRANK SHAFT
Crank shaft helps in converting rotary motion to reciprocating
motion. For horizontal pumps Nodular Iron or Cast Steel is
used. For vertical pumps forged steel or Machined billet crank
shafts are used.
CONNECTING RODS
Connecting rods transfer rotating force of crank pin to
oscillating force on wrist pin. For tensile loads forged steel,
cast steel or fabricated steel is used. For compressive loads
cast nodular steel or Aluminum alloy is used.

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

POWER END CONSTRUCTION:
CROSS HEAD
During reciprocating motion, it transfers plunger load to wrist
pin and absorbs side 1 radial load from plunger.
Cross way (cross head guides) are the guides 1 surface
provided, on which the cross head reciprocates
PONG ROD
It is the extension of cross head on horizontal pumps and
connects cross head to piston or plunger

PISTON AND PLUNGER TYPE PUMPS

POWER END CONSTRUCTION:
BEARINGS
Sleeve and anti-friction bearings are used in power pumps.
Sleeve bearings include wrist pin bearings, crank pin bearings
and main bearings. Anti-friction bearings include wrist pin
bearing, crank pin bearing, taper roller bearings and selfaligning spherical roller bearings.
FRAME
Most of the parts are assembled on frame. It absorbs plunger
load and torque. Frame may be horizontal or vertical with
Sleeve or anti-friction bearings.

DIRECT ACTING PUMPS

Power piston acts directly against the pressure of liquid being
pumped indirect acting pumps. The driving force may be
steam or compressed air.
These pumps don't have a constant discharge volume. Speed
is controlled by steam pressure and system back pressure.
Direct acting pumps are designed to STALL before bursting.
They are self protecting and maximum discharge pressure is
regulated by stem pressure and not by back pressure.

DIRECT ACTING PUMPS

At very low system back pressure, the pump may attain
dangerously high speeds and the pump might RUNAWAY.
Increasing the steam pressure, increases the speed and
system back pressure, at which the pump stalls and viceversa.
Constant

steam

pressure

and

increasing

pressure decreases speed and vice-versa.

system

back

DIRECT ACTING PUMPS

IDENTIFICATION
The pumps are usually represented by three numbers in the
form of:
DIA OF POWER PISTON (STEAM PISTON) X DIA OF
LIQUID PISTON X LENGTH OF STROKE
Normally area of power piston is greater than the area of
liquid piston.

DIRECT ACTING PUMPS

PISTON RATIO:
It is the ratio of two piston areas. For instance 2:l means a
pressure of 1 PSI on power piston and 2 PSI on liquid piston.
MAXIMUM DISCHARGE PRESSURE:
Its calculation involves following steps:
i)

Take difference of exhaust and suction pressure of steam

ii) Multiply this difference by area of power piston

iii) Divide this by the area of liquid piston

DIRECT ACTING PUMPS

CLASSIFICATION:
These pumps can be classified according to number of
working combination of cylinders, as Simplex, Duplex etc.
They can be further defined by:
i)

Cylinder arrangement (Horizontal or Vertical)

ii)

Number of steam expansions in power end.

iii)

Liquid end arrangement (Piston or Plunger)

iv)

Valve arrangement (Cap & Valve plate, Side port, Turret

type etc)

DIRECT ACTING PUMPS

STEAM END OPERATION:
Steam of sufficient pressure is admitted to one side of piston,
at constant rate. There is negligible expansion of steam
and it is exhausted from other side of piston
simultaneously.
Moving parts are Steam piston, Liquid piston and Piston rod.
At the end of each stroke, moving parts are brought to
rest and cushioned by exhaust steam, trapped in the end
of each cylinder.
Return stroke is attained by action of steam on other side of
the piston.

DIRECT ACTING PUMPS

STEAM VALVES:
Steam Valves:
may be duplex steam valves or simplex steam valves.
Duplex steam valves are mechanically operated and are less
complicated than simplex steam valves. Simplex steam
valves are steam operated.
Balance Piston:
steam valves are used on duplex steam pumps and
can be used without lubrication at pressure above 250 PSI
and temperature above 500 F (260 C).

DIRECT ACTING PUMPS

STEAM VALVES:
Cushion Valves:
Are used on larger pumps and provide an added control to
prevent steam piston from striking cylinder heads at high
speed operation.

DIRECT ACTING PUMPS

STEAM END MATERIALS:

For most services cylinders are made of cast iron. For

high
steam
temperature and pressure ductile iron or steel is used.

Cylinder heads and steam piston are usually made of

cast
iron.

Piston rings are made of hammered iron.

Piston and valve rods are made of steel / stainless
steel.

Packings for rods are made of braided graphited

DIRECT ACTING PUMPS

LIAUID END CONSTRUCTION:
The fluid handling section has:
i) Displacing solid (Plunger or Piston)
ii) Container to hold liquid (liquid cylinder)
iii) Suction check valve (suction pipe to liquid cylinder)
iv) Discharge check valve (liquid cylinder to discharge pipe)
v)

Packing (seal joints of plunger and cylinder, prevents

leak of liquid and air from outside)

DIRECT ACTING PUMPS

TWO BASIC TVPES OF LIAUID END
i)

Plunger type liquid end.

ii) Piston type liquid end.

DIRECT ACTING PUMPS

PLUNGER TYPE LIQUID END:

The plunger or outside packed type liquid end is used for high
pressure and heavy duty services. These are used where
dependability is of prime importance. Cast liquid end is
used for low and moderate pressures. Forged liquid ends
are used for high pressure services like 10,000 PSI.

PISTON TYPE LIAUID ENDS:

The piston or inside packed type liquid end is used for low
and moderate pressures. Leakage is not visible in this
type of end.
Piston type liquid ends have close clearances with cylinder.
For pumping viscous liquids, a suction port is used instead
of suction valve.

DIRECT ACTING PUMPS

PISTON PUMP LIQUID END MATERIALS AND
CONSTRUCTION
The liquid cylinder is usually made of cast iron or bronze. For
high temperature services as in refineries, chemical plants
cast steel is used. For low temperature services nickel
cast

steel

may

be

used.

For

corrosive

abrasive

applications nickel resist cast iron, chrome alloy steels,

stainless steels may be used. Different types of liners and
packings are also used in liquid end.

DIRECT ACTING PUMPS

VALVES:
Valves of different types are used as check valves.
Disk valves are used for general services and thin liquids.
Wing guided valves are used for high pressure services.
Ball or Semi spherical valves are used for abrasive and
viscous liquids.
Bronze Disk, Seat and Stem are used for boiler feed hot
water.
Rubber disks are used for low temperatures.
Heat treated Chrome-Alloy, Steel forged, Cast hard bronze
wing guides are used for tighter sealing.
Balls are usually made of rubber, bronze, stainless steel and
are guided through guides and lift stops.

DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
These are the displacement pumps with flexible membrane
clamped at their peripheries in sealing engagement with a
stationary housing. The central portion moves in a
reciprocating manner through mechanical means, such as
crank or eccentric cam or by fluid means, such as
compressed air or liquid under alternating pressure. Inlet
and outlet check valves control flow of liquid in and out of
pumping chamber.

DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
i) No seals or packing

ii) Zero leakage

iii) Self priming

DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
TYPES OF DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
i)

Mechanically driven diaphragm pumps

ii)

Hydraulically actuated diaphragm pumps

iii)

Pneumatically powered diaphragm pumps

DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
MECHANICALLY DRIVEN DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
These are single diaphragm pumps. The operating cycle
consists of inlet and discharge strokes. Long suction and
discharge lines can be used as lot of inertia is available.
Accumulators are provided on suction side. Inertia for
discharge is provided from the energy stored in springs.
Diaphragms are made from fabric reinforced plastomers. In
duplex diaphragm pumps, a walking beam (connector) is
connected between two diaphragms to activate the motion.
These pumps can have 50 feet of head, may be divided into
25 feet of suction lift and 25 feet of discharge head. For
example, automotive fuel pups.

DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
HYDRAULICALLS ACTUATED DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
These pumps are used as metering pumps and consist of
adjustable

stroke

reciprocating

piston

which

forces

hydraulic fluid on diaphragm. The piston is balanced

hydraulically. These pumps may be used for pressures of
4000 psi and discharge of zero to greater than 2000
gallon per hour.
These pumps are used in water and waste treatment plants,
chemical process, pulp & paper, petrochemical and petroleum
industries.
Liquids handled by these pumps are hydrazine, phosphate
acid, aluminium chloride, caustic solvents, vinyl acetates,
glycol etc.

DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
PNEUMATICALLV POWERED DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
Duplex pumps are common of this kind of pump. They
consist of two flexible diaphragms and two diaphragm
chambers. These pumps can handle large solids using a
flap type check valve having outlet at bottom.
This pump utilizes an air distribution valve having four way
distribution.

DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
PNEUMATICALLV POWERED DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
Ball type check valve are also used and have following
features.
a) Inlet at bottom
b) Air / vapour is expelled easily
c) High pumping rates can be achieved
Air consumption is directly proportional to pumping rate of
the Pump.

DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
TYPES OF VALVES
BALL type valves are used when horizontal seating is
required. These valves may be spring loaded.
FLAP type valves are used where vertical seats are required.
They are capable of handling large objects.

DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS:
1.
2.

Diaphragm pumps can handle abrasive slurries.

These pumps can handle highly viscous liquids having
viscosity
upto 11,000 cst. (50,000 SSU, saybolt seconds universal).

3.

Diaphragm pumps are displacement pumps and are not positive

displacement pumps.

4.

In these pumps, maximum pumping pressure cannot be

greater
than pressure of compressed air.

5.

These pumps can be used for pumping dry powder just like the
pumping of air or liquid.

6.

There is a size limitation for air operated diaphragm pumps. For

pumping rates greater than 250 gallon per hour, cost of air and
pump becomes not feasible. Pumps are used in parallel for high
pumping rates.

DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
PUMP CONTROL:
Pump is controlled by an air pressure regulator in compressor
air supply.
LIQUIDS HANDLED
Liquids and slurries that can be handled include ceramic,
slurry, paint, cement grout, chemicals, glue, resins,
petroleum products, driller's mud, sewage, waste oil,
bilge waste, lapping compounds, volatile solvents, coolant
with metal fines, coatings, explosives, yeast, chocolate
and wine.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
CYLINDER VALVES:

Cylinder valves are check valves and allow liquid flow in one
direction only. Cylinder valves are usually operated by
liquid moving through the pump. Cylinder valves consist
of following parts.
1- Disk

2- Seat
3- Guide
4- Retainer
5- Spring

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
VALVE DISK:
Valve disk is one of the major part of valve assembly, and it
is the motion / action of this part which results in start or
stop of liquid flow.
Different types of valve disks are being used. Most common
valve disks are:
a) Disk type valve disk
b) Bowl type valve disk
c) Ball type valve disk

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
DISK TYPE VALVE DISK
These valve disks are flat and shaped like a disk, and are
normally fitted with a spring.
BOWL T YPE VALVE DISK
These valve disks are shaped like a bowl and their operation is
almost like a disk valve.
The bowl shape helps the valve to make a tight fit I seal
against the valve seat. Construction of bowl valve seats is such
that they offer less resistance to the flow of liquid, as
compared to disk valves, so bowl valves are a better choice for
pumping viscous liquids.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
BALL TYPE VALVE DISK
As the name shows, these disks are shaped like a ball. These
valve disks are simpler in construction.
Both bowl valves and ball valves have the freest opening.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
VALVE SEATS
Seat is the section of valve assembly on which the valve disk
rests and seals against the flow of liquid. Valve seat is
pressed or screwed into the body or housing of pump.
Resilient materials as rubber, cork, '0' rings are good sealing
materials. Metal to metal sealing is also used, but this
needs fine grinding (lapping) between valve disk and seat.
Dual seating arrangement is also used and it involves metal
to metal and metal to rubber seating.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
VALVE GUIDES
The function of valve guides is to provide guide path for valve
disk to travel during opening and closing action and to
seat the valve properly.
Following types of valve guides are used in valve assembly.
a) Internal guides
b) Valve cage
c) Wing type

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
INTERNAL GUIDES
These guides are stem guided valves and are used for low
pressure applications.
VALVE CAGE
It is used for guiding ball valves.
WING GUIDES
Wing guides are sturdier in construction, so that they can be
used where the pressures are moderately high.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
SARING RETAINERS
Spring retainers are used to hold the springs in position and
block the spring against the force of valve disk.
Some times guide and spring retainer are integral part of
cover. A cotter pin might also be used as a spring retainer.
SARING
Springs are provided on the stem of disk type valve disks or
on the top of ball valve. The springs provide some of the
force that causes the disk to seat or close when suction /
discharge pressure drops.
The tension of spring also increases the suction / discharge
pressure required to open or close the valve.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
PULSATION DAMPENERS AND SUCTION
STABILIZERS
PULSATIONS
Pulsations are strong shocks resulting from start and stop of
flow during each stroke.
PULSATION DAMPENERS
A pulsation dampener is an air chamber which reduces
pulsations by storing some liquid at one part of stroke and
returning it at another part of stroke.
When

pump

is

discharging,

liquid

is

forced

into

the

dampening chamber. The liquid compresses the gas or air

in the chamber. As piston moves back, gas expands
against the liquid, and forces liquid into the discharge line.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
PULSATION DAMPENERS
Dampeners can minimize any sudden increase or decrease in
discharge line pressure.
Dampeners even out the flow from reciprocating pumps. They
are especially useful on pumps with high pressure
pulsations, as in duplex or triplex pumps.
A dampener should always be located on the same side of the
manifold as the pipe, not at the dead end of manifold.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
PULSATION DAMPENERS
An effective dampener is a sealed chamber filled with gas
(mostly

nitrogen

charged

bladder

bottles).

Charge

pressure is approximately 66% of the discharge system

pressure. For hydrocarbon pumping nitrogen is used in
dampener

and

for

pumping

water, air

is

used

in

dampeners.
For single acting simplex pumps, gas chamber is twice as
pump's displacement, and for duplex or double acting
pumps, gas chamber is equal in volume to that of pump's
displacement.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
BLADDER
A bladder is used in the chamber of pulsation dampeners to
seal off the gas from liquid. When there is no bladder, the
gas in chamber is gradually absorbed by liquid and some
means must be supplied to periodically REPLENISH the
supply of gas. If air at atmospheric pressure is being
used, chamber may be replenished by, isolating the
chamber, draining the liquid by opening drain value and
admitting fresh air in the chamber OR the chamber may
be replenished by forcing compressed gas or air into the
top of chamber.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
SNIFTERS
Snifters are used in low pressure pumps to automatically
recharge the air chamber. Snifters are partially filled liquid
cylinders connected between air chamber and wall of
cylinder. Two check valves are also provided, which allow
atmospheric air into the air chamber only.
On the backward stroke of piston, pump draws some liquid
from snifter and the snifter in turn draws air from
atmosphere.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
SNIFTERS
On the forward stroke, pump forces some liquid into snifter.
The rising level of liquid in snifter closes the check valve
from the atmosphere, forcing air into chamber.
The liquid in the snifter acts as a piston to draw in and out
air. For proper operation, the snifter cylinder should never
be completely empty of liquid. A sight glass is provided in
parallel to snifter cylinder. During proper operation, liquid
level in sight glass rises and falls full length of glass in
time with the strokes of pump.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
SUCTION STABILIZER
A suction stabilizer works like a pulsation dampener in
reverse, and is connected to pump's suction line.
When pump draws liquid, liquid flows out of stabilizer. When
suction valve is closed, liquid flows back from suction line
to stabilizer.
This action prevents hammering by suction liquid on cylinder
valves and piping, when it is not being drawn into the
pump. Suction stabilizer are needed on high pressure or
high speed pumps.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
BYPASS AND RELIEF VALVES
BYPASS VALVES
Engines or turbines must be started with no-load. A bypass can
remove the load from the pump during startup. A bypass valve
is installed between discharge line and suction tank, before the
discharge line check valve.
A bypass valve can also be used to reduce the volume of liquid
flowing through discharge line, by partially opening it during
operation.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
BYPASS VALVES
The bypass valve is operated manually on automatically.
The bypass line reduces starting torque from mechanical losses
and liquid inertia of suction and bypass systems. After the
pump is upto speed, the bypass is closed and the pump goes
on stream.
Suction valve un-loaders are also used. This mechanism lifts
the suction valve plates off the seats before and during startup,
thereby stopping pumping action and over coming only
mechanical losses. After the pump is upto speed, the suction
valves are closed in unison.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES
These valves are installed in power pump's discharge side,
before the check valves or first block valve. if the discharge line
is choked due to any reason, at a certain set limit of pressure,
the pressure relief valve will open and vent the gas or liquid,
thereby

reducing

the

discharge

line

pressure

and

thus

preventing the leakage I rupture of pump or pipe line.

Pressure relief valves are not necessarily used in direct acting
pumps, as these pumps may stall before bursting.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES
Thus the relief valve is a safety device that protects, against
excessive discharge pressure OR a blocked, plugged or closed
discharge line.
Relief valves should be set at the following percentages above
operating pressure.
Duplex double acting 25%
Triplex and above 10%

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
DISCHARGE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS
POWER TYPE SIMPLEX SINGLE ACTING PUMP
The figure shows pulsating flow characteristics. It is feasible for
low speed usage as high speed operation would result in
excessive shocks & vibrations.
POWER TYPE SIMPLEX DOUBLE ACTING PUMP
The figure shown that this pump also does not have smooth
discharge flow characteristics and is feasible for use at low
speed, although it has two discharge pulses per stroke.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
DISCHARGE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS
POWER TVPE, SIMPLEX DOUBLE ACTING PUMP WITH
AIR CHAMBER
Dotted lines in the figure show the flow without an air chamber.
An air chamber is used to smooth the pulsating flow from
reciprocating pumps. It reduces pulsation by storing some
liquid at one point of stroke and returning it at another part of
stroke.
In the figure at point 'a' amount of liquid displaced is greater
than actual discharge. Excess liquid is stored in the air
chamber.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
DISCHARGE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS
POWER TVPE, SIMPLEX DOUBLE ACTING PUMP WITH
AIR CHAMBER
At point 'b' the amount of liquid displaced is less than the
actual discharge from pump. Air chamber is responsible for this
extra flow (using the stored liquid of point 'a').
A pump with an air chamber can be used for higher speeds
than other pumps not having an air chamber.

CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION

DETAILS OF VARIOUS PUMP PARTS
DISCHARGE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS
DIRECT ACTING TYPE SINGLE ACTING. PUMP
The characteristics of a direct acting type single acting pump
are shown in figure. This flow is also pulsating, although it is
constant during a greater part of discharge section of stroke.
DIRECT ACTING TYPE DOUBLE ACTING PUMP
The figure shows that this flow is also a pulsating flow.
In direct acting pumps speed (capacity) is a function of
system's back pressure and steam pressure. Speed can also be
controlled by a valve in discharge line.