INDUSTRY
Oil and Gas - Refining
OPERATING CONDITIONS
Temperature: Ambient up to 200ºF (93ºC)
Application: Oil refinery
Media: Coke dust, cleaning chemicals
Pressure: 30 - 80 psi
BACKGROUND
The customer was able to replace their traditional diesel driven pumps used for decontamination projects using a combination of AODD pumps and butterfly valves (powered by an air supply). They designed and fabricated skids that utilize two 3” AODD pumps that are joined at the manifolds, which allows their customers to use one pump or both pumps at the same time for more demanding applications. The second pump also serves as a backup in the event that the first pump goes down.
CHALLENGES FACED
The challenge faced by this customer was the short life span from the original PTFE diaphragms that came with the pump. They tried using an EPDM diaphragm by itself as well as conventional skived PTFE diaphragms with an EPDM backer, but none of them lasted longer than one rental period (30 days). Most of their applications involved pumping abrasive coke dust, condensate, and various chemical cleaning agents, which can be aggressive because the abrasives tear through the PTFE, and the elastomer backing is softened from the chemicals.
The life of the EPDM and conventional skived PTFE diaphragms was unpredictable, making it difficult to determine if/when they would rupture.
SOLUTION AND BENEFITS
By working closely with one of their distributors, the customer was able to source an initial set of Garlock ONEUP® diaphragms, which are composed of ePTFE bonded to a fabric-reinforced elastomer backer. In addition, by switching to the one-piece Garlock ONE-UP® composite diaphragms, they ultimately saved on overall maintenance costs, including flights to fix a pump at an end-user’s location, hotel costs, and pump replacements.
