Location

Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA

Start Date

6-17-2012 12:00 AM

End Date

6-20-2012 12:00 AM

Description

ABSTRACT: In several industries, like the mining business, it is very common to observe high head pumping systems, which transport water to more than one discharge point. These discharge points could have, in some cases, variable discharge pressures and, furthermore, could be utilized as water sources (a water reservoir, for example) for other facilities using the same pipes that feed them (flow in double direction). Because of this particular design, the pumping systems can have different Total Dynamic Head (TDH) depending on the water level in the reservoir(s), resulting in a complication for the design and operation of the pumping systems. The objective of this investigation is to understand the operation of pumping systems with variable reference head, visualize the advantages of this type of design, and better understand related operating problems. In this case study, we analysed the design of an existing system that transports water from a river to a 4.2 million m3 reservoir and then on to a base metal process plant. To address this problem, a steady-state analysis was conducted to determine the TDH and flow discharge per pump for several operation scenarios and different types of problems noted from the calculations performed. The first problem was related to the control system being required to supply pumped water directly to the process plant and to the reservoir at the same time. Another problem was related to the performance of the pumps in all pump stations: a broad range of operation in terms of flow discharge. To avoid this type of problem, a redesign or mitigation measures should be considered, like the use of variable frequency drives for the pump motors or the increase of the water tank volume in pump stations. A redesign of the system was proposed as a result of this investigation.

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Jun 17th, 12:00 AM Jun 20th, 12:00 AM

Pumping Systems with Variable Reference Head: The Non-Visualized Problems

Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA

ABSTRACT: In several industries, like the mining business, it is very common to observe high head pumping systems, which transport water to more than one discharge point. These discharge points could have, in some cases, variable discharge pressures and, furthermore, could be utilized as water sources (a water reservoir, for example) for other facilities using the same pipes that feed them (flow in double direction). Because of this particular design, the pumping systems can have different Total Dynamic Head (TDH) depending on the water level in the reservoir(s), resulting in a complication for the design and operation of the pumping systems. The objective of this investigation is to understand the operation of pumping systems with variable reference head, visualize the advantages of this type of design, and better understand related operating problems. In this case study, we analysed the design of an existing system that transports water from a river to a 4.2 million m3 reservoir and then on to a base metal process plant. To address this problem, a steady-state analysis was conducted to determine the TDH and flow discharge per pump for several operation scenarios and different types of problems noted from the calculations performed. The first problem was related to the control system being required to supply pumped water directly to the process plant and to the reservoir at the same time. Another problem was related to the performance of the pumps in all pump stations: a broad range of operation in terms of flow discharge. To avoid this type of problem, a redesign or mitigation measures should be considered, like the use of variable frequency drives for the pump motors or the increase of the water tank volume in pump stations. A redesign of the system was proposed as a result of this investigation.

 

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