Though the handling of fuel oil is not necessarily "challenging," the reliable handling of fuel oils is critical for heating and transportation systems. Rotary pumps are an excellent means of loading/unloading, transfer, and circulating fuels. Some examples include:
Diesel Fuel (#2 Fuel Oil) Heavy Oils (#5 & #6 Fuel Oils) Crude Oil Gasoline Kerosene (#1 Fuel Oil) J et Fuel (J P4 & J P5) LP Gas
As the following table shows, application details also vary widely.
Capacities 0.1 GPM (0,02 m 3 /hr) to 1,000+GPM (230+m 3 /hr) Pressures 25 PSI (1.75 BAR) to 250 PSI (17.5 BAR) Viscosities 30 SSU (1 cSt) to 7,500 SSU (1,650 cSt) Temperatures Ambient Outdoor to 250F (120C)
These variances from application to application result in a wide range of pump constructions and drives. Despite this variance, there are some common guidelines to follow to insure smooth operation and long pump life.
Dos & Dont s Slower speeds, lower pressures, and materials designed for the anticipated temperature will pay off in longer trouble-free service, even if oil properties vary from those originally anticipated. Additionally, be sure to
Install the pump as close as possible to the supply tank. Leave working space around the pumping unit. Use large, short, and straight suction piping. "Short and fat" pipes are excellent. Install a strainer in the suction line. Double-check alignment after the unit is mounted and the piping is hooked up. Provide overpressure protection for the discharge side of the pump, either in-line or on the pump. Extend service life with preventive maintenance procedures such as periodic lubrication, adjustment of end clearance, and examination of internal parts. Obtain, read, and keep the maintenance instructions furnished with your pump, drive, and other system equipment.
2007 www.pumpschool.com Conversely, DO NOT
Run a pump at faster than approved speeds. Run a pump at higher than approved pressures. Run a pump at higher than approved temperatures. Use extra large, extra long suction line with a suction lift.
Installing a vacuum gauge and a pressure gauge on or near the pump will also help lengthen service life. Gauges provide a window into what is happening inside the pumping system. Properly interpreted readings can give clues to the nature of many problems. Long-term readings will show gradual changes taking place within the system.
Given the availability of certain fuels at any particular time, many fuel oil systems now accommodate various fuels (#2 through #6 fuel oil for example). Each fuel oil differs slightly in properties and these differences place unique demands on the system. Be sure to discuss these differences with your pump/system supplier.
Handl i ng Cr ude Oi l Crude oil is a naturally occurring liquid found in formations of the earth. Its typically extracted by large reciprocating pumps called pump jacks. The crude oil is then refined into fuels such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and other fuel oils. Characteristics such as color and viscosity vary from site to site, but typically fall into the following ranges:
Location Viscosity 40-780 SSU (4-170 cSt) at 60F (15C) Texas, Oklahoma 34-210 SSU (2.5-45 cSt) at 100F (38C) 75-1,200 SSU (15-250 cSt) at 60F (15C) Wyoming, Montana 45-300 SSU (5.5-65 cSt) at 100F (38C) 40-4,800 SSU (4-1,050 cSt) at 60F (15C) California 34-700 SSU (2.5-150 cSt) at 100F (38C) 45-200 SSU (5.5-40 cSt) at 60F (15C) Pennsylvania 38-90 SSU (3.5-18 cSt) at 100F (38C)
Due to crude oils high viscosity and wide range of application conditions, rotary pumps are well suited to h crude oil. Rotary pumps are used for transport, refining, a for high working pressure pipeline sampling applications. While compatible with cast iron, pumps for refinery and pipeline sampling applications are typically steel. Pump construction will depend on the particular oil and applica Many andling nd tion. crude oils contain dirt, sand, and other particulate
prior to refining. Often pumps for dirty crude oil are supplied with hardened parts to prevent the particulate from damaging the pump.
2007 www.pumpschool.com Handl i ng Gasol i ne and Li ght Fuel Oi l s ls have low boiling points and as such, a p andl i ng #2 & #6 Fuel Oi l ve six classifications based on their boiling points, is
s : oil ranges from 2.5 to 7 cSt (35 to 50 SSU), but may get even thicker the normal e of led in the range of -20 to 100F (-30 to 38C). s with two or more feet of ground cover will normally
fuel oil the vacuum reading at the pump should the are #6 fuel oil under the worst conditions (i.e., highest viscosity and lowest liquid level), liquid presen Light oils such as gasoline, kerosene, and jet fue re the first to be distilled off from crude oil. They are used primarily as fuels. All are fairly easy to handle, but are thin (29-35 SSU / 0.9-2.5 cSt), non-lubricating, and have high vapor pressures. Lifts (when the pump port is above the liquid level in the supply tank) should be kept to 6 feet or less to prevent vaporizing the liquid at the pum inlet. Be sure to check the system NPSH to make sure its adequate.
H Fuel oils in the United States ha composition, and purpose. #2 and #6 are most commonly used. #2 fuel oil used for truck fuel, heating, and power generation. #6 fuel oil is used for ship fuel (commonly referred to as Bunker C oil), heating (though usually reserved for larger buildings), and power generation. Typical application conditions for handling fuel oil are as follows:
ty Viscosi #2 fuel at temperatures below freezing because of congealing wax. #6 fuel oil ranges from 20 to 1,650 cSt (100 to 7,500 SSU) in handling temperature range, but may vary widely depending on the sourc the oil, sulfur content, and blend.
ormal Handling Temperatures N #2 fuel oil is typically hand #6 fuel oil is typically handled above 100F (38C) to reduce the viscosity for ease of handling. Unheated, buried tank stay within a range of 40 to 70F (4.5 to 21C), depending on locale and time of year. Lift should be kept to a minimum. For #2 not exceed 15" Hg under the worst conditions. Lifts should be kept to under 10 feet and may be even less depending on suction piping length, fittings, and priming conditions. The vapor pressure of #2 fuel oil is less than 0.1 PSI (0.0069 BAR) at ambient temperatures. If the vacuum at the pump exceeds 15" Hg, entrained air in oil may cause capacity and noise problems. Under vacuum conditions the air will expand and the pump will not deliver its full capacity of oil. While the rotary pumps self priming, a foot valve is typically recommended to minimize the chance for losing suction. For position the pump and select pipe and fitting size to give vacuum readings of 15" Hg or less. The viscosity of #6 Fuel Oil varies from one tank car load to the next. Some tank cars contain "light ends" which affect viscosity and may cause lift problems. For systems to handle #2 or #6 fuel oil, designing a system to handle either ts problems in sizing the suction lift, fittings, and strainer.
2007 www.pumpschool.com Large rotary pumps are often used in the refining process of fuel oil as well as for transp rs used for backup power
-Fired Furnaces ial constru ort and delivery. Upon delivery, smaller rotary pumps take over (usually 30 GPM & smaller), often assembled as a duplex pump system complete with drive equipment, strainers, valves, and controls (figure 1). These duplex systems insure continuous oil delivery to critical applications such as:
Fuel supply to diesel generato Transferring fuel from storage tanks to smaller day tanks Boosting Low Pressure Fuel Oil to Burner Pressure on Oil Recirculation Oil Filtration System to Ensure Clean and/or Water-Free Oil
Depending on the service and system location, these pumps may require spec ction and testing (i.e. pumps which are UL-343 listed for fuel oil service).
Figure 1 Duplex fuel oil skid for delivering #2 fuel oil built by Viking Pump Control Panel Pressure Relief Valves
UL-343 listed um Internal Gear P ps Basket Strainer Discharge Header Suction Header s Motors Check Valves 2007 www.pumpschool.com Handl i ng LP Gas (Pr opane) Propane is normally a gas, but is compressible to keep in its liquid state for storage and transport. LP gas is used for heating, as a cooking fuel for barbeques and portable stoves, and as fuel in some vehicles such as buses, locomotives, and fork lifts. Rotary pumps are used for bulk plant transfer service, truck unloading, and bottle filling. Due to the high working pressure, high vapor pressure, and extremely low viscosity, LP gas pumps require special construction (figure 2). Due to the high vapor pressure, NPSH must not be overlooked. Placing the pump too far from the supply tank, allowing the LP gas to get too hot, or running the pump too fast may lead to cavitation, which in turn will lead to noise, reduced capacity, and reduced pump life. The LP gas pump in figure 1 features a return-to-tank pressure relief valve. This valve allows the LP gas to flow back to the supply tank when the discharge valve is closed, rather than cycling the gas through the pump. By doing so, less heat is imparted to the LP gas and the gas is not allowed to boil in the pump. Figure 2 Cutaway view of a UL-51 listed Rotary Internal Gear Pump for handling LP gas
For Fur t her I nf or mat i on This document is just for general information purposes. The internet is a great source for further information including www.pumpschool.com, but before selecting a pump for fuel its important to speak with the pump / system representatives to address all aspects of the application. Topics including seal selection, drive sizing, and NPSH, must all be addressed to insure years of reliable fuel handling.
Gas-Engines and Producer-Gas Plants
A Practice Treatise Setting Forth the Principles of Gas-Engines and Producer Design, the Selection and Installation of an Engine, Conditions of Perfect Operation, Producer-Gas Engines and Their Possibilities, the Care of Gas-Engines and Producer-Gas Plants, with a Chapter on Volatile Hydrocarbon and Oil Engines