Triplex Pump Part 1
Triplex Pump Part 1
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Triplex Pump
December 1999
Training Module
Introduction
This module introduces you to the Dowell PG Series of Triplex Pumps
commonly used in our Cementing, Acidizing and general pumping
work. The aim is to give you a thorough understanding of the ratings,
limitations, care and maintenance of one of the most important pieces
of machinery used by Dowell. More than 90% of our revenue is
pumping related. So you need to know all about our Triplex Pumps,
caring for them and maintaining them according to our standards.
Objectives:
• To provides an overview of the Triplex Pump, its main components
and operating principles.
• To describe the basic specifications and ratings of the Triplex
pump.
• To review the lubrication system for this piece of machinery.
• To discuss STEM operations.
• To explain and teach the proper care and maintenance of the
Triplex Pump and its ancillary equipment, including how to repack
a fluid end correctly.
• The Appendix includes color diagrams of the Triplex Pump and
Fluid End, with part numbers. There is a Trouble-shooting Guide
for the more common problems you might encounter in everyday
service, relevant Maintenance Bulletins.
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2. The chain case converts a low torque high rpm engine output to a high
torque low rpm output more suited to the requirements of the power
end. The ratio of reduction on a P.G. Series Pump is 1:675 (sprocket
27-40 tooth)
This drawing shows a typical chain case. A chain travels over the upper
sprocket mounted on the pump pinion shaft (40 teeth) and over the lower
sprockets driven by the prime mover (27 tooth). When the prime mover
rotates the lower input shaft, the chain transmits the power to the upper
output (pinion) shaft and rotates it as well. This shaft then transfers the
rotation to the Pinion Shaft of the power end. The different diameters of
the two sprockets in the chain case acts to reduce the prime movers
output speed (rpm) and increase the torque input to the pump.
Each chain case is secured to the chassis or skid by means of a pair of
Torque Rods. They prevent the chain case from moving when power is
applied.
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Triplex Pump
December 1999
Training Module
The Power End functions very much the same way as does a crankshaft
in a conventional motorcar engine. The output shaft of the chain case is
actually the P.G. Series pump pinion shaft. The pinion shaft drives the
crankshaft via the crankshaft bull gears. The gear ratio between the
pinion shaft and bull gears is 1:4.31 (on the P.G. series pump). By using
eccentrics the rotation of the Mainshaft is changed into a reciprocating
action. This reciprocating force is transferred to the Connecting Rods
and Crossheads, which in turn move the plungers in the Fluid End.
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Triplex Pump
December 1999
Training Module
Most of the load on the triplex pump assembly is taken by the Power End,
especially by the Eccentrics. It can be easily seen that the Crossheads
and Connecting Rods exert a force back to the eccentrics while pumping
under pressure, and if this force exceeds a certain design limit, the power
end will quickly fail. This limitation is commonly called the Maximum Rod
Loading.
One of the limiting factors of Rod load is the amount of force that the
Connecting rod can withstand before the lubrication is squeezed out from
between it and the eccentric bushing causing metal-to-metal contact.
When this occurs, failure is imminent.
The centerline of the Main Shaft in relationship to the centerline of the
eccentrics determines the length of the Stroke of the power end.
There are basically three types of power ends made by Dowell.
They are:
(a) The 5-inch stroke ( PG Series with Rod Load = 110,000 lbs ), rated at
285 BHP (Brake Horsepower) input and are the most commonly used in
cementing operations. They are available in either Steel for offshore
application or Magnesium for truck applications where weight is a
consideration.
(b) The 6-inch stroke ( PC, PT with a Standard Rod Load = 195,000lbs
and the upgraded version with Rod load = 237,000 ) and PQ Series
with Rod Load = 165,000 LB)
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Most of the “P Series” power ends except for the PG Series are being
phased out as the new generation of power ends and fluid ends will take
their place. The Gardner Denver GD 700 “Lite Weight” is one of the
replacement power ends being installed on some of the new equipment
today.
The GD 700 is available with ether a right angle drive gear as shown above and
also available with the standard direct drive into the pinion shaft
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Training Module
OPI (Odessa Pump Inc) which was the original Manufacture of this
Crankshaft style Fracturing Triplex pump in the early 70’s. Later other
manufactures made similar versions of the “OPI” style power end. Dowell
at the time was purchasing the power ends but manufacturing our own
fluid ends to use with the OPI power ends.
The GD 1250 power ends have a Rod Load rating = 200,000 lbs.
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The GD2000 power end have a Rod Load rating = 237,000 lbs . This is a
direct replacement for the OPI 1800 power end.
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The Fluid End of the pump assembly is the part of the pump, which
receives fluid at low pressure, applies horsepower to the liquids, and
discharges the liquid at high pressure. The mechanical pumping action is
again very similar to that of a conventional piston-type internal
combustion engine or a reciprocating piston type air compressor. This
type fluid end is referred to as a “Cross-Bore” Type fluid end because the
two boring’s intersect each other to create the cylinder.
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As the plunger is drawn towards the Power End (suction stroke), the
pressure inside the chamber between the Suction and Discharge Valves
is reduced. This causes the suction valve to lift and the fluid to be drawn
into the suction manifold, through the suction ports, around the suction
valves, and into the chamber. At this moment, the suction valve is opened
by the fluid entering the fluid end, and the discharge valve is kept closed
by its check valve-type action and the discharge valve spring.
When the plunger starts to move in the opposite direction towards the
Fluid End (discharge stroke), the fluid inside the chamber, being
incompressible is forced out. The suction valve closes immediately like a
check valve, and the fluid then lifts the discharge valve from its valve seat
and is forced out around the discharge valve and into the pump discharge
chamber.
The usual suction or intake pressure is low (about 30 psi) but the
discharge pressure can be in the range of thousands of psi. Some Fluid
Ends made by Dowell are rated to work at 15,000 psi working, pressure
and some can even go as high as 20,000 psi.
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December 1999
Training Module
The plungers, in the fluid end, receive energy from the power end. Each
time the main shaft makes one revolution, all the plungers in the pump
makes a complete cycle (i.e. a stroke forward and backward). Therefore,
by counting the revolutions of the main shaft and multiplying the RPM
(revolutions per minute) times a volume factor, we can get a volume
amount in BPM (barrels per minute), liters per minute or accumulative
amount of fluid pumped. This volume is only a mechanical indication of
volume, not an actual volume, so if the supply to the pump is restricted,
the volume calculated this way can be inaccurate. That is why in Dowell
we also use absolute volume measures like unit displacement tanks.
Fluid ends are designed for specific series of power ends, that is, the
stroke length of the fluid end is always the same as the stroke length of
the power end. Fluid ends are manufactured with various plunger
diameters for each series of power end. Plunger diameters range from the
smallest diameter of 2½ inch to the largest of 7¼ inch. Obviously, the
larger the plunger diameter, the larger the volume of liquid displaced per
stroke of the plunger(s). However, the largest diameter plunger does not
necessarily mean the best. By making simple calculations, it can be seen
that for a particular Maximum Rod Load (as limited by each power end
series), the maximum pressure the fluid end can pump is limited by the
diameter of the plungers. So, the larger the plunger diameter, the lower is
the Maximum Pressure Rating of the fluid end. Should the Fluid End be
used to pump fluids in excess of its designed working pressure rating, the
first component of the triplex assembly that will fail is the power end.
Therefore, it is extremely important that the fluid end is not taken beyond
its maximum pressure ratings. Failure will occur because the force
exerted on the eccentric bushing (bearing) and the crosshead pin bushing
causes the lubrication to be squeezed out creating a metal-to-metal
contact. Once this occurs there is no reversing the damage and
catastrophic failure is inevitable.
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Each type of fluid end can easily be identified by a code of letters and
numbers, which are stamped on each fluid end. An example: a fluid end
stamped TG06 would mean it is a 3 3/4 diameter plunger rated at a
maximum working pressure of 10,000 psi and a maximum output of 5.8
BPM for a 5 inch stroke (PG series) pump. There is also a serial number
stamped with the code to keep track of individual fluid ends. The fluid end
specifications, identification codes, volume factors, plus the rate and
maximum pressure ratings for each fluid end are given in the appendix of
this manual, the Dowell treating Equipment Manual or on a "quick
reference" card – ratings shown below for different power end series:
Power end data:
Power end = 5” stroke PG series
Maximum rod loading = 110,000 lb
4.32 ratio, internal gears
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Many fluid end parts such as valves, valve seats, springs are interchangeable
with fluid ends of different series (stroke length) pumps. Other parts such as
packings, adaptor rings, spacers, gland nuts and lantern glands are also
interchangeable for use in pumps with plungers of the same diameter regardless
of the stroke length. (A chart showing interchangeable parts is included in the
appendix:
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The GD lite weight series fluid ends utilize a different concept in fluid end
adaptability. They use a stuffing box as shown below that threads into the fluid
end, this stuffing box is were the packing seals seat. Some have different size
stuffing boxes as listed below. The pressure rating will due to the power end’s
Rod load Rating. The same fluid end will fit on a GD 700 or GD 1250 powerend.
You should reference either the Treating Equipment manual or the “Pump Card”
via the Web for the latest and most accurate ratings.
The High Pressure Fluid End
3-3/4”- (FGD) not Stuffing Box design (Conventional Design)
The Medium Pressure Fluid End
4-1/2”- (EGD)
5” - (HGD)
5-1/2” – (IGD)
The Low Pressure Fluid End
5-1/2” – (IGD)
6” – (YGD)
6-1/2” – Under development
Incidentally the new fluid ends were designed to accept and use the same
packing and brass as that used in the same size fluid end in the PG series
Power End.
The plungers are different.
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The Chain Case can be extended by adding a spacer and increasing the
chain length. Most Dowell Twin Pump Cement Units (CPS, CPT) use a
standard 23.15" center-to-center Chain Case for the Down Hole Pump ,
which has a chain that is 90” pitches long. The Mixing Pump uses an
extended Chain Case (6" extension section) which increases the Chain
Case length to 29.15" center-to-center and uses a chain that is 95 pitches
long. Both chains are known as Quad 80 chain, which means 80 pitch
(length from pin to pin) and 4 links wide.
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Triplex Pump
December 1999
Training Module
The torque arms are designed to stabilize and control the reaction of the torque
being applied through the chain case. The torque arms are to be adjusted as
follows. The torque arms have left hand threads on one end so they will change
length when rotated. Set one of the torque arms to the desired position. Assuring
the driveshaft clears all obstructions. Then adjust the other torque arm in any
direction to tighten and lock the chaincase into position. Tighten all locking nuts
in position.
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The P.G. Pump can be configured in two different ways so that the power
end can be driven from the left or right hand side. These two
configurations do not require different parts but is distinguished by the
way the pinion shaft is installed in the power end frame. When changing
the position of the pinion shaft the timing gears must be re-timed.
Note:
There are a few instances where the P.G. series power end turns in the
opposite direction (Reverse Rotation). This is not common, but you will
find it on units where the two P.G. Pumps face each other (mirror image)
and are driven by conventional diesel engines.
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