These vibrations can cause two main problems: mechanical fatigue and acoustic noises. Further, the interaction of the dynamic flow generated by the pump plungers with acoustical resonances in piping systems can result in high-pressure pulsation levels in the pump and piping, cavitations, excessive vibrations, and failures. Moreover, higher frequency fluid-borne noise can be generated from flow perturbations associated with elbows, valves, or cross-section changes in the pipe. In conjunction with pulsation simulation, this design approach is required to couple technical analysis of the piping system to ensure that the piping will have adequate supports and clamps to maintain a natural mechanical frequency of major acoustical energy.

The acoustic simulation techniques predict the potential of cavitations and the required minimum suction to prevent cavitations based on the amplitudes of the pulsations. The results obtained from the analysis proved that the pulsation levels at the suction end were considerably reduced, and the pulsation levels were found to be under API 674 standards. Harmonic loads acting on the pipelines were calculated based on the pulsation amplitudes at various frequencies. These harmonic loads were applied at respective nodes, and a FEM-based Harmonic analysis was done to determine the system’s natural frequency and response to Harmonic loads arising from pressure pulsations.

From the analysis, the pipeline was first tested for the given set of pulsation-damping equipment and reciprocating pumps. It was observed that the old configuration needed to provide the desired pulsation control in the system. We observed amplification in pulsation on the suction side, which was much above the values accepted by API, and cavitations were observed at the suction end of the plunger. To reduce the pulsation, it was suggested that additional pressure-dampening equipment of size 1 liter must be installed 0.55 m from the suction end of the reciprocating pump. Further, the analysis done on the pipeline with the additional dampening accumulator shows a considerable reduction in pressure pulsation, and the pulsation amplitudes were much below the allowable limits.

Pulsations Analysis – Services Offered:

1) Noise and Vibration in Pipe Systems

2)  Hydraulic Analysis

3)  Pressure Wave Contours in Pipelines

4)  Pressure Vs Frequency

5)  Peak to Peak pressure variation to predict liquid hammer conditions inside the pipeline

6)  API -674 – Comparison of Peak Pressure

7)  Evaluation of Vibration/ Harmonic loads on the pipeline

8)  Cyclic pressure variation inside the pipeline

9)  Pipeline redesign to mitigate pulsation, mechanical vibrations, and stresses