Unloading pumps are designed to unload a vessels or oil tankers liquid cargo in the shortest possible amount of time when receiving bulk deliveries of fuel. Oil cargos are typically transported via vessel as it is the most economical form of transportation for bulk cargo transfer and is only surpassed if fuel oils can be transferred via a pipeline eliminating double handling.
An overseas electricity provider contacted us who were having issues unloading light fuel oil (LFO) from their barge. The port would regularly receive shipments of oil cargo by vessel which docked over 50M away from the pump. The unit would operate for approximately 16 hours a day, unloading marine fuel for transfer to an oil storage tank located nearly 300M away, which was 10M high.
The customer was experiencing issues with their existing pump which was undersized, noisy and they wanted explore whether a better solution was available to improve marine fuel pump performance and reduce the amount of time vessels were kept moored at port and underutilised whilst discharging cargo.
Undersized Fuel Transfer Pump
The customer was experiencing several tell tale signs that their pump was undersized. Their screw pump which technology is normally very quiet was producing high levels of noise, there seemed to aeration of the pumped fluid which was detected by their Coriolis Flow Meter, flow rate was less than what the unit was designed for and flow was turbulent meaning there was the potential for inconsistent metering of unloaded fuel as some designs of flowmeters rely on a steady flow of fluid- all symptoms of what happens when a pump is undersized. Furthermore, when the vessel used a pump located on the vessel to boost flow, the aforementioned issues disappeared.
Unloading Pump Design
Unloading pumps are usually designed to produce high flows at low to medium pressures, are self-priming to ensure they can completely empty a vessels cargo, have a wide viscosity handling to ensure they handle a variety of marine fuel oil derivatives from light distillate, to medium, and heavy fuel oils. Also known as stripping pumps, they enable the complete discharging of fluid from tanks without manual intervention or residue remaining in holds.
They are usually ATEX rated to remove any source of ignition and may have a motor suitable for inverter operation to enable operators to control oil transfer rates in particular when oil viscosity changes. Units can be heat traced as a way of maintaining a fluids viscosity and flow rate or to prevent solidification within the pump head. Similar pumps are also used in fuel bunkering and debunkering operations.
Our Solution
The client wanted a flow rate of 100M³H to 150M³H when pumping oil derivatives, be able to draw fluid from the barge and completely strip without manual intervention, whilst varying flow as required
North Ridge specified and selected our NRPZ Self Priming Horizontal Triple Screw Pump complete with ATEX rated Motor suitable for operation via Variable Frequency Drive (VFD).
Although pumps can typically only prime a maximum of 9.8M (based on water), and even though the suction pipework extended to over 50M away, in this particular application it was well within the capability of the design.
That is because most of the pipework runs horizontally, rather than vertically but care still needs to be taken to ensure that with the fluids viscosity, pipework diameter, and any vertical pipework sections do not amount to a pressure loss high enough to stop the unit functioning as it should.
Their new transfer pump will produce varying flow up to 116M³H, be controlled via a Variable Frequency Drive and deliver pressures up to 8 Bar. Coupled to a 45KW ATEX WEG Motor suitable for operation via VFD the unit was assembled with 6” inlet and Outlet matching the clients existing pipework.
The new unit will speed up tanker offloading, will enable users to have increased control of tanker unloading and enable the unit to function without any of the issues experienced by the current installation.
If you are experiencing low flows, slow tanker offloading / loading or simply have a unit approaching the end of its useful life and want to see if process improvements can be made – speak to us on 01773 302 660 or visit www.northridgepumps.com to see how we can help.
North Ridge Pumps
- 01773302660
- sales@northridgepumps.com
- http://www.northridgepumps.com
- North Ridge House 3 Chrysalis Way Eastwood Nottinghamshire NG16 3RY GB
About us
North Ridge Pumps are an independent manufacturer and distributor of pumps. Having been established since 1998, we have a vast array of experience having become accustomed to supplying pumps for most processes.
We work within a range of industries both UK and Internationally, specifying pumps for a wide variety of applications from the transfer of corrosive and aggressive chemicals, to dewatered sludge, viscous grease, resin, glues, food and Seawater.
Our pumps range from standard centrifugal and multistage pumps, to immersed and process overhung solid handling pumps. We also supply a wide range of positive displacement pumps including Vane, Piston, Progressing Cavity and Peristaltic enabling us to specify more than one solution for your application, but also ensuring the majority of applications remain within our reach.
We offer the following services:
Technical support – We know at times pump selection is difficult. Pump selections are made with confidence by technical sales engineers who understand your process, ensuring equipment is engineered beyond your needs.
To select the correct technical solution for your requirement, longevity of design is prioritised. If there are existing issues you need assistance with, we work with you to solve these which could be high maintenance costs, frequent service periods, repeated equipment breakdown leading to lost revenue, inconsistent flow rates, clogging or where pumped product is inconsistent.
Application experience – Due to our 20 years of application experience we work with you to ensure our pumps operate according to your desired application. Our experience means we have most likely provided a solution for a similar process previously. With proven results, we know how to achieve your outcome sooner.
As our pumps are completely configurable, we design pumps with materials according to your requirement, and to your required duty point. Pumps are engineered specifically for your process whether they be baseplate mounted, within a mobile frame or in kit form with couplings, hoses, and dispensing nozzle.
Industry knowledge – We have a thorough understanding of a range of industries through experience from supplying the offshore oil and gas market, to paper mills, chemical plants and food manufacturers to name a few.
We not only understand the importance of downtime but also what each process requires and how small design improvements specific to the nature of your industry and application can reduce downtime, facilitate maintenance and improve longevity.
If you have a process or application you require a pump for, or a process which requires improving, get in touch to see how we can help.
What we do in a nutshell
Pump Specification & Supply
-
Metering Nanocomposites for 3D Printing Applications
Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, is an innovative technology that enables the manufacture of complex components layer by...
-
Easy-to-clean low maintenance epoxy resin injection pump for mould filling
Epoxy resins are extremely hard to pump due to their high viscosity, sensitivity to shear and fast setting on mixing....
-
Two Multistage Pumps Boost Cement Plant's Performance
Dewatering is a critical mining operation that ensures smooth running of mines and renders the mine cost-effective. It performs a...
-
Safe and Efficient Low-Pressure Tanker Discharge for Environmentally Friendly Bitumen Emulsion Handling
Enhanced Safety and Efficiency in Bitumen, Oil, and Chemical Transport Traditionally, road tankers that carry viscous materials like bitumen, oils,...
-
Your Process- Revolutionised. Controlled. Simplified.
When it comes to the dosing, metering or transfer of aggressive chemicals or abrasive solid laden mixtures there is often...
-
Easy Clean Pumps improve Lecithin and Cream transfer at a UK food manufacturing plant
In our latest case study, we’re discussing three new hygienic progressing cavity pumps we supplied to a UK food manufacturer....
