J

By Ross C. Mackay,
Contributing Editor
J
Which process
pump is right
for your
application?
In view of these figures, it is apparent that the
API pumps should be considered for higher pres-
sure and temperature services chan che lighter dury
ANSI pump.
I
n the world of pwnps, there are vo types of
horizontal end suction centrifugal pumps that
are more conHl'lOnly used chan all the others put
coged1er. 1l1ey are the ANSI pump char ls designed
and built co the standards of the American National
Standards Institute, and the API pump that nlts The Liquids
che requirementS of che American Petroleum In considering the ''arious rypes of liquids han-
lnscicuceStandard 610 for General Refinery Service. died by these pumps, the fluids in the petrochemi-
Q,er che years, ANSI designs ha,e become the cal industry are frequently classified as
preferred sryle of end suction pumps, not only for H)'drocarhons. Aggrnsivl' Clumicals and Mild
chemical process applications, bur also for water Oumicals.
and ocher less aggressi \'e services. The ANSI H)'drocarhom are petroleum-based productS
Standard pro\ides for dimensional interchangeabil- chat are frequently classified as light, iruennedlate
icy of pwnps from one nu nufacr urer co another. or At atmospheric pressure and temperature,
The API pwnp is almost the exclusi\e choice lighr h)Urocarbons rend m \'aporize, inrennedlate
for applications in t he oil refin- ------------- hydrocarbons are liquid, and
ery industry, where it handles T.aking these fac- hea-' y hydrocarbons are highly
higher temperatures and pressure It \iscous or even solid.
applications of a more aggressi\e t t t Aggrmivl' Chemicals include
nature. While this specification Or'S In 0 aCCOUn , strong acids, alkalines or oxidiz-
also deals with some vertical you can finish up ing agentS that are destructive [0
shaft models, this arcicle will both equipment and t he environ-
focus on rhe rnore widely used th a fit bl menr. They are also dangerous to
horizontal designs. These single WI pro a e plant personnel if allowed ro leak.
stage pumps are designed with a and reliable Mild Chrmicals are generally
radially split casing co accommo- easy co handle, and are nor detri-
date a back pullout arrangement operating system. mental [0 eirher equipment or
for ease of maincenance. Tile the environment.
major difference between rhe Many of t hese liquids can
rwo styles is reflecced in the casing pressure design produce toxic fluid exposure and vapors if rhey are
ratings, which are as follows: allowed co leak our of a pump. Vapor release is a
common danger with hydrocarbons due ''aporize ac
atmospheric conditions or other chemicals char may
be e:<posed to \'ery high operating temperatures.
ANSI Pump Rming : 300 PSIC ar 300" F
Al'l l'ump Roring : 750 J>SJC ar 500 F
36 MARCH 2004 PUMPS& SYSTEMS
If a ' ' apor release is e.-< posed co a spark, the ' ' apor
cloud may even e.-<plode or catch fires.
in handling chese liquids, we
muse be excremely aware of much more chan erwi-
ronmemal damage and pumping efficiency. \Y/e
muse also be very conscious about personal safery.
Therefore, the choice between the ANSI purnp and
the API pump muse take imo account the specific
fluid properties, as well as the operating conditions.
The main difference between these choices is
predominandy a result of the differences in casing
design.
Volute Cases
Both pump sryles ha\e a radial split casing, and
most ANSI pumps and some API pumps employ a
single \'Oiuce design of the interior passages. This is
particularly evidenc in the smaller sizes that involve
low-flow rates and lo\\'er spe<:ific speeds of the
impeller. As shown in Figure 1, the area of the volute
increases at a race that is proportional co the race of
discharge from the impeller, thus producing a con-
stant velocity at the periphery of the impeller. This
\elociry energy is then changed inco a pressure ener-
gy by the time the fluid encers the discharge nozzle.
Figure 1. Single volute case
The peculiar shape of the \<Oiute also produces
an une\en pressure distribution around che
impeller, which in curn results in an imbalance of
the thrust loads around the im.peller and ac right
angles co the shaft. This load muse be accommodat-
ed by the shaft and bearings, and much has been
discussed on this problem in recent years. This load
is at irs maximum when che pump is run at the
shucoff condition, and gradually decreases as the
Row rate approaches the Best Ffficiency Poinc
(BEP) . If the pump operates beyond rhe BEP, rhe
load increases again, buc in the opposite direction
on the same plane. E.-<aminacion of the resultant
shaft deflection problems has indicated chat the
radial plane on which the our-of-balance load aces
is approxinutely (,0 counterclockwise from the
cue-water of t he \<Olure.
FifJire 2. Double volute case
Most of the larger API pumps are produced
with a double \<Oiute design co reduce these loads on
high-flow and high-head unirs. (See Figure 2.) l11is
is accomplished by balancing the opposing our-of-
balance loads from each \<Oiute. W'hile the cost of
this is a sllghc reduction in efficie ncy, ic is consid-
ered a small price co pay for the increased reliablli-
ry rille ensues.
Another casing feat ure found in many API
pumps is the cop suction /top discharge arrange-
men t, which has also been used in a slighdy differ-
ent configuration in a \' ertical inline pump design.
In chis arrangement with a horizomal pump, the
suction nO'.tzle is located ac the cop of the casing
adjacent co the discharge nozzle, rather than on the
end. On the \' ercical inline design, the suction noz-
zle is once again on the side, but now ic is opposite
co the discharge nozzle, thus creating the "inline"
appearance.
PUMPS& SYSTEMS ww.v .pump-zone.com MARCH 2004 37
. -
L _ ....J Figure 3. Typical ANSI 111mp
The drawback of chis design is, for most of
these pumps, that che NPSH required ls often con-
siderably greater chan ir would be in the end suction
arrangement. More NPSH is needed in order co
accommodate the fr iction losses in che corwous
path from the suction flange co the
of che im.peller .
Back Cover
Arrangements
Orle of che major differences
berween the ANSI and API pump cas-
ings is in the m:mner in which ilie back
CO\'er is secured co the casing.
In che design shown in
Figure 3, the back ctwer and gasket
are held against the purnp casing by
the bearing frame adapcor, which is
most frequendy supplied in cast iron.
This usually results in a gap berween
the mating faces of the frame adapcor
and che pump casing that has the
potencial co permit une\en rorquing
of che boles. In che e\enc of a higher-
chan-normal pressuriz.acion of che casing by che
process syscern. chls tnay cause a fracmre of che
adapcor
llle API design in Figure 4 boles che back CO\<er
direcdy co che casing and uses a confined controlled
I
Polaris Pumps are American Made from
all cast parts of 28% chrome Iron-
so they'll work HARDER.
last LONGER and you
time and money!
Our unique modular design
allows field upgrades and
conversions. And Polaris
parts are readily available
so down time is limited.
For sales &
of Polaris Pumps call:
800-624-7069
www.polarlspumps.com
38 MARCH 2004 PUMPS& SYSTEMS
+
I 4l 21 l7/04 LO: 45 A."! Page 39
compre-ssion gaske-t with
metal to metal firs. T he
acbptor is bolted indepen-
d<'-ndy to the back cm'C':r and
does not play a pan in the
pr<'-5Sure bouncbry of the
pump castng.
Mounting Feet
Another difference be-
rn n the rno pump srylc.s is
the of the
mounung ft.
All ANSI pump casings
are mounted. on feet project-
ing from the underside of
the casing and bolted to the
ba.seplatt'. If d)(':$(': pumps are
---
ll.SC'd. on high--t<'-mperarure applic.uions, the casi ng
will expand upv..ards &om the mounting feet and
cause .sn'<'-re thermal str<'-5.SC':s in the casing that will
affect the rdi-ability of the pump.
Operation -at lov.'<'-r tt'mperarurc-s will not be affect-
ed by this fearure.
L-
On the other hand, API pumps are mounted -at
the horizontal C<'-nterline of rhe casing on feet pro--
jecting from each side of the casi ng -and bolted to
pede-stals that form pan of the ba.seplate. T his
-arrangement provide-s the API pump with the
advantage of being able to operate with pumpage -at
NIKKISO Pumps America, Inc.
Eliminate pulsation dampener maintenance with Puiseless Meteri ng Pumps I
Diap/l,.gm Type

0.1 1 10 110 1.100 1UOO l!
Copaeity (GPH) il

w,w NI KKI SO Pumps America, Inc. Jl

6100 Easton Road Plumsteadville, PA 18949 11
P: 215-766-7867 F: 215-766-8290 www.nikkisopumpsamerica.com "'
a

Speed llri\oes . Sanitaly Plmps

MARCH 2004 39
+
ele\'ated temperatures. As che pump comes up m
cemperarure in such cases, any e:<pansion of che
mecal will be abO\'e and below che casing cen tetline,
and will exert minimal amountS of scress m che cas-
ing, thus comribucing m opt imum reltabilicy of che
pump.
is also in che bearing housings of che
API pumps, which tend m be much more rob usc in
design and also accommodate cooling jacketS \Virh
a greater capacity of cooling water.
Materials of Construction
The abiliry m handle higher tem.peracure ser- Pump marlufacrurers can provide ANSJ and API
pumps: in 1 wide l$$Orcmern of mace-
rills, lhe selection of which depends
on rhe operatirlg scress and effects, as
v.'ell as che lype of v.'ear fr om che
produce beirlg pumped. The mosc
common materials used in these cen-
crifuga.l pumps a.re:
DICK OW
Pump Company
__ '-... _'""'""''''".,.
n,..s. Mwp .. ,.m;..
,.wrr .. - --tllieluq. ,_ .. _ , ___ -....., __ ,_
.W.. ,...,s. - Nn ;...,lalrxtJDJQ
... Didioll'ntlisW*'IIOIOal ...........
Wl!ill'; CIOn Md .... fDIIglll ......... ._..... NQI.III'Id
.... .._._ L<litOf .. ltlbOn? TlllliiS&.ISO 1001

oo.. ....... t .......... _....,....,..,. ...

"Q SSI Pld OfQika liDt "*"""" l*fDIu In ,OW tiPIQIIC
_ ...
-
__ ..,._
Ace DIN 2111 NISI.ASYl
8131U.1914
- c..:--"""'
CIDII .... mlldltd
--
800-880-4442
Dickow Pump Company
1738 SANDS PLACE SE MAll/ETTA. GA 3D067 USA
TL: (770} 952-7903 FAX tnOJ 933-8846
ula@<6ckow.tom
www.dickow.com
4 0 MARCH 2004
Case iron
Ducrlle iron
Bronze
Carbon and low alloy steels
such as 4140
Chrome steels such as It %,
12% or 13%
Marceniscic stainless steels in
che 400 series
Precipica.rion hardening stain-
less steels like 17-4 PH
Austenitic stainless steels like
the 300 series or alloy 20
Duplex stainless steels such as
CD4MCu
Ocher more e.-<oric alloys such
as Hascelloy, licaniwn, ere.
Repair Considerations
lr is important m remember,
before any repair procedures are
performed on any pump compo-
nent, due che nutertal of conscruc-
cion muse be accur.uely idemified
by means of che approprtare rests.
Prior ro any repairs being conduct-
ed on a purnp casing, ic is also
ad\isable ro consider rhe economic
advamage of che repair under con-
sideration.
Smaller and mediurn-sized
Al'ISI pumps are designed wit h a
high degree of imerchangeabiliry
and produced in ,olum.e. Conse-
quendy, ic can frequendy be more
cosr effective m replace che entire
PUMPS& SYSTEMS
pump rather than a combination of che impeller, Contributing EdiUJr Ross Mackn)' has ovrr 40
casing and back cover. In addition, b()[h the indi- )'fars i11 thr pump industr)-man)' of thrm working
,idual parrs and complete pumps are a-ailable fairly with both ANSI and API pmnp applicatiom. Todn)'
quickly. This can make ic more cost effeccive co hr sprcialius in hrlping companif1 i11c1't'asr their
replace rae her chan repair che pares, unless che wee pump rt'liahilitj and rt'ducr oprrating and maintr-
ends are made of che more e.xocic alloys. lc ls dear, ttllncr costs through comulti11g and rducation. Hr can
in the case of non-mecallic pumps (which may also hr rrachrdat 1-800..465-6260 or tlll'ough his wrh siu
conform to ANSI standards) , chat the componentS at www.rossmacka)'.com
muse be replaced, as chey general- ----------------------------
1 y cannot be repaired.
API pumps, howe\er, are gen-
erally more economical co repair
chan co replace. These w1 ics are
usually installed in more rugged
ducies and haz.ardous applications
in refineries or ocher petrochemi-
cal indusrries, and are conse-
quent! y more durable and more
expensive. Deli \'ery periods are
also frequendy longer, and tile
pares more costly chan their ffi'ISI
equi \".tlenr.s--particular& thr casrs
and impel/us.
This makes it \'ery cempcing
co source these pares from an
afcer-rnarker supplier rather dun
the Original Equipment Manu-
facturer (OEM) . It should be
noted, chough, chat the major
pares of a centrifugal pump (i.e.
che casing, che impeller and the
back CO\er) are all case from par-
terns irwolving incricace hydraulic
designs, which are of a propriecary
namre. These pares are also the
ones chat pro\ide rhe hydraulic
performance of the purnp. W'hile
che pares mighc be a\ailable frorn
afcer-rnarkec suppliers at slighdy
lower prices than they are frorn
che OEM, char cost Sa\ing wlll
fade inco insignificance if che
pum.p does noc meet ics hydraulic
performance. Your OEM can
accept che responsibiliry for the
subsequent hydrau lie perfor-
mance of these replace men r pares.
"E'M FLUID-COMPATIBLE SEAL
FOR WATER AND CHEMICAL PUMPS
Unique, patented third lip
l ow friction. long life
High eccentricity capable
Preswres to 75 PSI
PUMP APPLICATIONS
Pond Fountain Garden
Food Beverage
Chemical Submersible
u
0
BUSAK+SHAMBAN AMERICAS
2531 o.--... PO, Bo. 176
f"ort VM)one. IN .t6l!I01
t200t
emai l: depL03psObusakshamban.us
web: www.busakshamblln.us
tel: 1800-8773257
\W'
TRELLEBORG
--


J
g
..
:l
By taklng these factors inco
account, you can finish up wlch
reliable pumps due have beerl
proper! y selected to provide a prof-
itable arld reliable operating system.
P&S

PUMPS& SYSTEMS ww.v .pump-zone.com MARCH 2004 41