SES System Efficiency Service – measurements in the potentially explosive atmospheres of a refinery
The commissioning of a multi-stage API pump type CHTRa was to be accompanied by measurements performed by SES System Efficiency Service staff in order to detect potential problems in the operating mode at an early stage. The measurements were performed in the potentially explosive atmosphere of zone 1.
The commissioning of a multi-stage API pump type CHTRa was to be accompanied by measurements performed by SES System Efficiency Service staff in order to detect potential problems in the operating mode at an early stage. The measurements were performed in the potentially explosive atmosphere of zone 1.
The challenge:
Measurements in potentially explosive atmospheres
The API pump from KSB is used in a so-called reformer system for the desulphurization of petrol. This pump was newly installed during refurbishment of the system. The pump environment is defined as a zone 1 potentially explosive atmosphere which means that more stringent requirements must be complied with to ensure safety.
The solution:
Use of special ATEX-compliant measurement equipment
In order to monitor the functionality of the pump and the system right from the start, SES System Efficiency Service staff used the KSB data logger to monitor commissioning. After carefully clarifying the on-site conditions in advance, KSB’s experts used special ATEX-compliant sensors for the potentially explosive atmosphere to comply with the necessary safety requirements.
Measurements were carried out on the pump over a period of four weeks to record the inlet and discharge pressures and the vibration velocities. At the same time, mobile power measurement equipment was used to measure the effective power of the entire pump set. This was followed by a detailed analysis of the complete operating behaviour based on the measurement data.
The result:
The highest level of security is guaranteed
The diagram shows an excerpt of the measured data used to determine the API pump’s operating behaviour. During the measurement period it was noticed that the inlet and discharge pressures changed and the effective power decreased. This was due to a reduction of the reformer system’s working load.
Checking the permitted operating range confirmed that the pump was still operating within the optimum range. The vibrations simultaneously recorded on the drive end and non-drive end also confirmed that the CHTRa pump was running smoothly under both operating conditions.
Reduced working load of the system resulted in changed inlet and discharge pressures.
Data | Facts | Figures
Application: Chemical park
Products used: API pump type CHTRa
Year: 2018
Duration: 2 Months
