Pumping viscous fluids using centrifugal pumps (0.6 CEUs)

Description
Pumping viscous fluids is a challenging proposition, while on the other hand, standard pump characteristic curves, pump performance acceptance testing protocols, and all related information are based on viscosity of water. Moreover, the pump performance test results with water are valid for fluids with viscosity up to 20 ~ 30 cSt only. This course addresses all these issues. This is a comprehensive course on ‘Pumping viscous fluids using centrifugal pumps’. This course starts with the definition of viscosity and gradually progresses into more advanced concepts, formulae, and graphical representations. The course includes the recommended procedures and approach for handling viscous fluids presented in ANSI/HI standard 9.6.7, and by the pump manufacturers as well as those published in international papers and journals on this topic. This course explains the pump selection procedure, the pump performance conversion procedure from water to a viscous fluid and back, special pump design features, sealing systems, testing of pumps including NPSH testing. The course includes many examples to allow the participants to develop a grip on the subject. The discrepancy in the empirical formulae results and the actual testing results with viscous fluids is also presented.
 
Objective
The course objective is to:
Understand viscosity and its impact on pump performance,

Convert water-based pump performance curves to viscous fluid-based pump performance curves and vice-versa,

Calculate the system head curves for a viscous fluid,

Select a suitable pumping system for handling viscous fluid – pump, motor, coupling, sealing system,

Convert NPSHR curve on water to a viscous fluid curve,

Test a pump for a viscous fluid. 

The participants of this course will have a good command on the subject by the end of the course.
Target Audience
Engineers, supervisors, other professionals in general industry, chemical process plants, refineries and Oil and Gas sector dealing with viscous fluids and working on:
Process design and process engineering,

Selection of pumps and pumping systems,

Inspection and testing of pumps, Quality Assurance and approvals,

Operations and maintenance,

Troubleshooting and root cause analysis,

Plant and equipment reliability and asset management.

 Level of Course
This is an intermediate level course as the participants are expected to be conversant with the pumping system fundamentals and should be apt at engineering calculations and use of formulae. The participants should be able to make calculations and understand the common engineering terms and concepts. After going through this course, the competence and command over the topic will be established, and the participants will be able to handle with confidence issues related to transfer of viscous fluids in the industry and on the operations floor.
 
Learning Objectives
After going through this course, the competence and command over the topic will be established, and the participants will be able to handle with confidence issues related to transfer of viscous fluids in the industry and on the operations floor. 
 
After you attend this course/workshop, you will be able to:
Quantify the impact of viscosity on the pump performance,

Convert water-based pump performance curves to viscous fluid-based pump performance curves and vice-versa,

Calculate the system head curves for a viscous fluid,

Select a suitable pumping system for handling viscous fluid – pump, motor, coupling, sealing system,

Convert NPSHR curve on water to a viscous fluid curve,

Conduct root cause analysis pertaining to problems with pumping of viscous fluids.

Material(s) Required
Laptops or calculators will help in solving the exercises given in this course

Copy of the latest standard ANSI/HI 9.6.7