Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Fracking Process Question From a Reader

I am told that liquid ring vacuum pumps are employed as part of the fracking process. If true, can anyone tell me how they are used in this application?

5 comments:

  1. Bruce,

    I have never heard of the Blender or CAS Suction and Discharge pumps referred to as Liquid Ring vacum pumps before. Both the Blender and the Hydration Unit (AKA CAS or PreGel)have a Suction and Discharge pump on opposite sides. They are centrifugal pumps and are usually 100 to 130 BBl/min rated. Sizes vary but a general size would be 10″ x 12″ centrifugal pumps. Failure rates on Discharge pumps on Blenders are very high, as sand is always eating away the metal around the seals and the impellers get worn down quickly.

    DWJ

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    Replies
    1. Thank you very much. Again, that was from a reader. This is way beyond my "pay grade." Hopefully this answers his/her question.

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    2. From wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_ring_pump

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    3. There is a world class metallurgist in Rapid City called RPM and Associates. He specializes in wear surfacing and utilizes some of the best methods available. The shop does repairs that others can't at reasonable cost. I used to work there and he is by far the smartest person I have/will ever work for. Masters in metallurgy from SDSM&T (hardest curriculum there, I attended).

      Fix those pumps!

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    4. Great comment. Thank you for taking time to post. My dad talked often of SDSM&T. He grew up in Newell, SD (near Rapid City), and had the highest respect fro SDSM&T.

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