Can pump maintenance problems be solved by engineered modifications
- Rush Engineering Inc., Orange, CA (US)
- Betchel Corp., Norwalk, CA (US)
Engineered solutions for vertical can-pump maintenance problems reduced maintenance costs and high production losses, and eliminated replacement costs. The vertical can pumps shown were installed in a major waterflood operation in California. Ten vertical pumping systems were installed at three locations in the field. Each system included a booster pump and an injection pump connected in series and mounted on a common concrete support base. Source- well water pressure was increased from less than 100 psig to 3,000 psig by the two-pump system. During the first 4 1/2 years of operating the pumping systems, excessive failures were experienced. Motor bearing failures, seal failures, throat-bushing failures, and deep erosion of the pump shaft in the throat bushing area were presenting a nightmare maintenance program. Average motor thrust bearing life was only 2-4 weeks. Seals and throat bushings were failing every 4 weeks. This paper illustrates a typical throat-bushing failure. These failures led to replacement of the pump shafts as well as the bushings due to severe scoring of the shafts.
- OSTI ID:
- 5821017
- Journal Information:
- Oil and Gas Journal; (USA), Vol. 89:4; ISSN 0030-1388
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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