1 reply to this topic

[mamiri]

I am looking to see if anybody knows when to select a pulsation dampener for a pulsating pump. Is one always recommended to be used or if there exists a rule of design?

Appreciate your comments!

[Art Montemayor]

Mamiri:

From my experience in being involved in various projects using reciprocating pumps and requiring pulsation dampeners, I can tell you that the requirement depends on:

• The pump and its characteristics (capacity, rpm, pressure differential, etc.);
• The fluid pumped;
• The pumping system, its layout, and piping arrangement.

Therefore, pulsation dampeners are not always required; however, it is considered smart to install them. When the pumping system is a critical one – such as a methanol down hole injection system pumping methanol in one stage from atmospheric pressure to 8,000 psig a detailed pulsation analysis is a smart procedure to employ before committing to the finalized pumping system design and purchase.

There are no “rules” of design that I know of that would substitute intelligent, sound engineering decisions in this application. The purchase and installation of a ¼ hp intermittent chemical injection pump doesn’t – in my opinion – merit a need for a pulsation study.