Pump Suction

Strainer

Hadi Veyse – Oil and Gas Operation Superintendent

Strainers Classification

Strainers are broadly classified into two categories:

• Temporary strainer
• Permanent strainer
Strainers Classification

Temporary strainers:
Temporary strainers are installed for temporary or short period of application for e.g.:
• During commissioning or initial start of new system
• Start-up or reconditioned system after shutdown and maintenance
These are installed with a view to remove coarse debris such as rags, welding rods pipe seals, rust,
broken packing etc., which are accidentally or unavoidably present within the system. After a
nominal period of time they are removed, cleaned and stored for future use or may be replaced with
a strainer of a finer retention.

Permanent strainers:
Permanent strainers are applied in service where solids or foreign matter are a normal constituent of
the pump fluid. They are designed for permanent installation with some means of cleaning, without
disturbing the primary process piping connections. They are cleaned when the pressure drop
reaches the maximum allowable limit.
Temporary Strainers

Conical Strainer Truncated Cone Strainer

T-Type Strainer Flat Disc Screen

Temporary Strainers

The point of the conical strainer shall face upstream in the piping. Screens in T-type strainers shall
point with the flow. Pointing the conical strainer upstream to the flow allows debris to fall to the
outside of the cone around the perimeter of the pipe and so minimize the obstruction to the flow
path. This is the preferred orientation for most machinery installations. Conical strainers may be
installed with the point oriented downstream when explicitly specified by the designated machinery
representative. This may be advantageous in situations where there are space limitations or where
removal of the temporary strainer may result in the dropping of debris into the machine inlet.
Temporary Strainers

1. The open area of the temporary screen or strainer shall have a minimum of 150% of the open
area of the piping:
• ANSI/HI 9.6.6-2016: A rule of thumb for strainer application is that the open area be three
times the area of the upstream pipe.
• ExxonMobil IP 3-3-10 1997: Strainer open area shall be not less than two times the inlet pipe
cross-sectional area.
2. The piping designer in consultation with the machinery manufacturer shall specify the screen
mesh or hole size of temporary screens or strainers.
NOTES:
• The screen mesh or hole size is typically determined by the size of the largest particle that can
pass through the machine without lodging or causing plugging.
• Typical strainer hole size is 6 mm (1/4 in.). However, there may be applications where a coarser
or finer screen is required.
• Screen mesh or hole size may sometimes be determined by a desire to protect equipment
downstream from the machine.
3. Temporary screens or strainers shall be installed in horizontal piping runs whenever possible.
NOTE:
Locating temporary screens or strainers in horizontal piping facilitates the removal of debris. The
location of temporary screens or strainers in vertical piping is acceptable but greater care must be
taken to prevent debris from falling into the piping when the screen or strainer is removed.

Shell DEP 31.38.01.24 2023

Pumps shall be protected at initial start-up by inserting a temporary fine mesh (40 mesh) screen on
the upstream side of the permanent strainer.
ADMA-OPCO SP-1050 2010
For the pre-commissioning and start-up period, pump suction line shall be provided with temporary
strainers of 40 mesh size.
Permanent Strainers

1. Any permanent strainer shall be located between the inlet isolation block valve and the
machinery inlet connection.
2. Where large accumulations of foreign material are expected and a machine is not spared, either
a duplex strainer or two simplex strainers in parallel shall be provided in the inlet line to the
machine. If the machine is spared then either a duplex strainer or a simplex strainer on each
machine shall be provided.
3. Differential pressure indication shall be provided across the permanent strainer or strainers.
4. Venting capability for permanent strainers shall be provided.
5. Permanent strainers shall not be located closer than 5D to the machinery inlet nozzle.
6. The open area of the permanent screen or strainer shall have a minimum of 150% of the open
area of the piping:
• ANSI/HI 9.6.6-2016: A rule of thumb for strainer application is that the open area be three
times the area of the upstream pipe.
• ExxonMobil IP 3-3-10 1997: Strainer open area shall be not less than two times the inlet pipe
cross-sectional area.
7. The piping designer in consultation with the machinery manufacturer shall specify the screen
mesh or hole size of permanent screens or strainers.
NOTES:
• The screen mesh or hole size is typically determined by the size of the largest particle that can
pass through the machine without lodging or causing plugging.
• Typical strainer hole size is 6 mm (1/4 in.). However, there may be applications where a coarser
or finer screen is required.
8. Screen of mesh size 20 or finer shall be reinforced with perforated plate, or heavier screen and
steel bars.
Permanent Strainers

9. During initial operation, a secondary screen is often attached on the upstream side of the cone,
to catch debris left over from construction and to prevent damage to the downstream
equipment:
• The secondary mesh sizes should be 40 mesh for centrifugal pumps.
• It may be necessary to select a different perforated plate or mesh for reasons such as: very high
viscosity or known plugging/fouling service.
• The strainer should be able to withstand a differential pressure exceeding 30 psi.
• The pressure drop across a strainer should be monitored with a transmitter (A trip should be
initiated when the differential exceeds a pre-set level lower than the structural capability of the
strainer).
• After the system is judged to be clean, the strainer should be removed.
• Whether or not to reinstall the cone without the secondary screen is a project-specific decision.
10. If a Y-type strainer is used, then it shall be installed pointing downwards or at an angle of
maximum 45° from vertical, in order to improve access for cleaning.
11. Unless the resulting pressure drop is excessive, the suction strainer and suction valve size
should match the diameter of the pump suction nozzles, for economic reasons and to minimize
the weight of attachments.
12. In a vertical suction pipe, a Y-type strainer shall be permanently installed pointing away from
the pump.
13. In horizontal suction pipes, Y-type or bucket-type strainers may be used.
14. The installation of a Y-type strainer in the suction of double-suction pumps shall not disturb an
even flow to the suction nozzle of the pump.
Permanent Strainers

15. A spade or spectacle blind shall be inserted downstream of the suction valve and upstream of
the discharge valve to isolate pumps during maintenance.
NOTE:
Isolation using two closed block valves and a vent valve open to atmosphere located between the
block valves is known as a “double block and bleed” arrangement. This is an acceptable alternative
to spectacle blinds for machinery isolation, provided the process fluid is not toxic, corrosive, or
flammable. Removal of a breakout spool and installation of a blind flange is also an acceptable
alternative to the use of spectacle blinds for machinery isolation.
Permanent Strainers

Y-type Strainer Basket Type Strainer Duplex/Twin Strainer

Permanent Strainers

Y-type Strainer vs. Basket Type Strainer:

NPSH Consideration

Following figure illustrates a condition where there is initially adequate NPSHA at all flow rates. The
difference between the initial and later NPSHA curves is that initially the friction loss is such that the
NPSHA is acceptable at all flows while, at some time in the future, the friction loss increases so that
the NPSHA curve crosses the NPSH3 curve.
The changing of friction characteristics with time can be caused by a number of conditions including:
• Filter or a strainer in the pump suction line that gradually becomes plugged
• Valve in the suction line that is no longer wide open
• Scale buildup in the suction pipe
• Obstruction in the suction line
• Obstruction of forebay or changes of suction flow patterns

NPSH versus rate of flow - change in system dynamic component

NPSH Consideration

Saudi Aramco SAES-G-005 2021

If strainers are used for long-term basis, the maximum pressure drop across the strainer shall be
included in the NPSHA calculations.

ExxonMobil DP X-A 2001

When permanent suction strainers are required, a pressure drop of 1 psi should be allowed for the
strainer.

Rules of Thumb for Chemical Engineers 2018

A good starting point for selecting a basket strainer is to assume that the clean pressure drop of 1
psi.

JGS 210-120-1-37E 1996

The pressure drop of a permanent strainer should be taken as follows:
• 0.5 m for dirty service
• 0.3 m for clean service

Fluid Controls Institute Inc

Most pump installations designed for reasonable velocities will permit approximately 2 psi pressure
drop across the strainer. Allowable Pressure Drop (psi):
• 1 psi for clean
• 2 psi for 50% clogged

NIOEC-SP-00-50 2017
Pressure drop through any permanent strainer should be 0.61 m of liquid head for NPSHA
calculations.
NPSH Consideration

Worley KS-PR-DEG-0138 2019

It should be unnecessary to allocate pressure drop for a temporary strainer providing it is confirmed
that temporary strainers will be removed during commissioning. If a permanent strainer is required,
then do not select a mesh that is too fine since it may lead to problems of blinding or filling too
frequently. A pressure drops of 7 to 14 kPa (1 to 2 psi) is typically allocated which should be
confirmed with the strainer supplier.

Worley KS-PR-DEG-0130 2019

In a basic design and engineering project the allowable filter pressure drops, or the calculated filter
pressure drop can be used. If no information is available, see following table for guidelines. In a
detailed engineering project, the actual fouled pressure drop should be used.
The allowance for temporary pump suction screens should only be used if the Customer intends to
leave the screens in place after start-up.
Strainer Selecting Recommendations

When selecting a strainer, use the following steps as recommended guide:

• Select the right material
• Select the strainer design or configuration

Select the right material:

Strainer Selecting Recommendations

Select the strainer design or configuration:

Strainer Selecting Recommendations

JGS 210-120-1-27E 1996

• “Y” type strainer : 2" and less size
• “T” type strainer : 3" and larger size
• Bucket type strainer : This type shall be applied to the dirty liquid service such as the crude
charge and bottom's pump in crude distillation unit, bottom's pump in vacuum unit, etc.

NIOEC-SP-00-50 2017
All pumps shall be equipped with permanent strainer. “Y” type strainer can be used for all pumps
with suction line size of 2” and less . Basket or “T” type strainer shall be used for all other pumps.
Strainers 6” and larger shall have 1” drain valve.
Strainer Pressure Drop Calculation

Islip Flow Controls Inc

Strainer Pressure Drop Calculation

Islip Flow Controls Inc

Note: Pressure drop curves are based on water flow with standard screens.
Strainer Pressure Drop Calculation

Islip Flow Controls Inc

Note: Pressure drop curves are based on water flow with standard screens.
Strainer Pressure Drop Calculation

Sure Flow Equipment Inc

Note: These charts are for theoretical calculations ONLY.

Strainer Pressure Drop Calculation

Sure Flow Equipment Inc

Note: These charts are for theoretical calculations ONLY.

Strainer Pressure Drop Calculation

Islip Flow Controls Inc

Strainer Pressure Drop Calculation

Mueller Steam Specialty

Theoretical Pressure Drop Curve for Screen Clogging

Strainer Pressure Drop Calculation

Example:

Estimate pressure drop across Y-Strainer provided in a 6″ line with following data:
Flow Rate = 700 GPM
Viscosity = 100 cP
Specific Gravity = 0.80
100 Mesh Screen
% Clogged: 50%

• P1 = Pressure Drop [Pressure Drop Charts] = 1.3 psi

• P2 = P1 * Screen Correction Factor [Chart-1] = 1.3 * 1.2 = 1.56 psi
• P3 = P2 * Specific Gravity = 1.56 * 0.8 = 1.248 psi
• P4 = P3 * CF [Chart-2] = 1.248 * 0.35 = 0.4368 psi
• P5 = P3 - P4 = 1.248 - 0.4368 = 0.8112 psi
• P6 = P4 * BF [Chart-3] = 0.4368 * 1.6 = 0.69888 psi
• P7 = P5 * (PF or MF) [Chart-3] = 0.8112 * 6.5 = 5.2728 psi

• Total Clean Pressure Drop: P8 = P6 + P7 = 0.69888 + 5.2728 = 5.97168 psi

• Total Clogged Pressure Drop: P9 = P8 * (Correction Factor for Clogged Screen) [Chart-4 or Curve]
= 5.97168 * 2 = 11.94336 psi
Thanks for your attention