In the oil industry, there are a range of different reasons why use of industrial grade pumps is essential. They play a vital role in guaranteeing the smooth operation of extracting and refining petroleum.
Industrial grade pumps are versatile in handling numerous fluids like crude oil, gas, and water. As required in the industry, they can also deal with incredibly high temperatures, various pressures, and corrosive materials that the oil sector handles regularly.
Understanding how valuable these pumps are in the oil industry can be difficult for those with little to no knowledge of the sector. This article aims to uncover the four main benefits that industrial grade pumps bring to the oil sector.
Durability
As equipment in the oil industry is expected to withstand abrasive materials and tough conditions, industrial grade pumps are built to continue working effectively throughout. Pumps can be made from a variety of materials, including carbon steel, duplex stainless steel, Hastelloy, stainless steel, etc. The material that is used will depend on the process fluid’s corrosiveness.
Pumps should also be designed to meet the safety, reliability, and quality standards of the American Petroleum Institute (API). The use of a durable pump that meets the API 610 pump standards ensures the highest quality results in the oil and gas industry by being reliable and efficient in critical applications.
Energy Efficient
There are types of industrial grade pumps that produce contract product flow with minimal noise. This is achieved by the design and size of the pumps, which can also deliver better energy efficiency in high-flow, low-viscosity applications. As a result, businesses in the oil sector can benefit from significant energy savings.
Centrifugal pumps are used more often in the oil industry as they use less energy and require less upkeep, which is the result of fewer moving parts and no valves. This allows them to move at high speeds and handle advanced flow rates without causing any damage to the pump.
However, the level of energy efficiency an industrial grade pump has will depend on several aspects, such as the fluid type and flow rate. This means that not all centrifugal pumps will save energy, although more will.
High Pressure Capability
The oil industry includes demanding pumping tasks, which means the pumps must be designed to operate under high pressures. Industrial grade pumps are built with this in mind. As previously mentioned, these pumps are made from durable materials and welded together to withstand heavy-duty operations.
For example, the API created the API 610 standard for centrifugal pumps, and this allows even higher pressure designs to be available; these designs could handle in excess of 1,450 PSIG. The rounded design and rotating assembly allow the pump to cope with higher pressures.
Reliable Performance
Pumps used in this sector must be able to give consistent operation as this is vital to maintain efficiency. An industrial grade pump is often much larger than smaller pumps, which means they can be 20% to 40% more effective than their smaller counterparts.
Although these pumps are more reliable than others, they still require regular maintenance checks and lubrication to ensure they run efficiently for years. You must also ensure worn parts are replaced quickly to guarantee reliability.
By understanding the four main benefits of using industrial grade pumps in the oil industry, it is easy to see how vital this equipment is to the success of the sector.
