Solution Provided | Mechanical Assessment
Discipline | Process, Mechanical
Carnac was engaged to assess the hydraulic suitability of the existing spent liquor pumps if the electric motors were to be upgraded to higher-rated motors. At the time of engagement, the spent liquor motors were operating at their maximum output in order to meet the refinery flow demand. This was potentially impacting the integrity of the motor and would have likely lead to more frequent motor replacement or repairs.
Carnac hydraulically modelled the system using Piping Systems Fluid Flow (FF3) from source to end users to assess the required pump duty and motor size required to achieve required throughputs, provided recommendations to changes in the system, and developed a new basis of design for the new flow conditions. While the mechanical assessment concluded that the pumps were capable of running at over-pressurisation scenarios, Carnac highlighted that the pump casing pressure ratings fell below operating pressures. As these pumps are crucial to refinery operations, Carnac worked with Operations and pump vendors to identify paths forward to resolve the issue.