Why Peristaltic Pumps Can Excel in Oil & Gas Production

The operators in some of the most demanding industries—from oil and gas production to mining and water/wastewater management to chemical processing—rely on peristaltic pumping technology systems when handling thin to viscous, particle-laden, aggressive, abrasive and corrosive liquids in potentially explosive and dangerous atmospheres. The design and operation of peristaltic pump technology, which was patented in 1925 in France, satisfy the requirements of a wide range of industrial liquid-handling applications because the pump’s operation relies on the alternating contraction and relaxation of the hose. This design forces the contents of the hose to move through the pump and into the discharge piping. A smooth-wall, flexible hose is fitted in the pump casing and squeezed between shoes on the rotor that is positioned inside the pump casing. This rotating action moves the liquid through the hose at a constant rate of displacement. The hose restitution after the squeeze also produces a strong vacuum effect that draws product into the hose from the intake piping. The vacuum created by the hose’s restitution can build discharge pressures of as much as 16 bar, or 232 pounds per square inch (psi), without damaging or deforming the hose or causing it to rupture.

The pump casing is also lubricated to cool the pump and lengthen the life of the shoes and hose. Since the product only contacts the hose and inserts and not the internal pump components, this pumping technology is suitable for abrasive and corrosive applications. The pump’s reversible operation abilities also allow for pumping in both directions. Peristaltic hose pumps can maintain reliable volumetric consistency, making them ideal for the strict dosing and continuous operating cycles that can be required in many industrial applications, including those in oil and gas applications. They can also provide suction-lift capabilities for as much as 9 meters (29.5 feet). Peristaltic pumps do not need seats, valves, glands or mechanical seals, which leaves the hose as the pump’s only replacement part. This type of pump provides a seal-free design that makes them dry-run, self-priming and low-slip capable. The design can eliminate the chance that leak paths will form or cross-contamination points will be created. The peristaltic pump’s hose and inserts—which, because of the pump’s sealless design, are the only components to actually come into contact with the pumped medium—need to achieve the required material compatibility, while also delivering the millions of pumping cycles required during its expected lifetime. That is why peristaltic pump manufacturers work closely with hose suppliers who offer products that are compatible with a wide array of chemical compositions. The pump and hose manufacturers understand the critical nature of material compatibility—leaking acid or some other potentially harmful or dangerous liquid could be a disaster for the operating company, personnel and the environment.

Fatigue Resistance

Another consideration when selecting a hose material is its “fatigue resistance.” This trait defines how resistant to failure the hose material is as it runs through millions of pumping cycles. A hose material susceptible to developing cracks and holes early in its operational life is not as desirable as one made from a material that can reliably handle the demands of the repeated contraction and relaxation of the hose, especially when particulate-laden liquids are being pumped. The reinforced construction of the peristaltic hose and its use of rubber compositions that have been specially designed for the stresses within the peristaltic hose allow for the optimum life cycle and performance.

Material Selections

The following materials have gained wide acceptance in the industry for use in the construction of peristaltic pump hoses:

• Natural rubber (NR): highly resistant to abrasion
• Natural rubber ATEX: for applications in explosive-atmosphere areas
• Buna-N (NBR): provides wear resistance when used with oily liquids
• Buna-N FDA: for hygienic applications
• NR FDA 1935/2004: for food-grade applications
• Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber: optimized chemical resistance when handling concentrated acids, alcohols and ketones
• EPDM ATEX: for EPDM applications in explosive atmospheres
• Hypalon: high resistance to oxidants, concentrated bases and acids

Oil & Gas Applications

The peristaltic pump’s construction, method of operation, liquid-handling range and low maintenance requirements can make it ideal for use in harsh operating atmospheres. One of the harshest—and most complex—is oil and gas production. The operations can be located in some of the world’s most rugged, unforgiving climates and landscapes. Within each oil or gas operation, numerous liquid-handling functions need to be completed reliably and flawlessly in order for the production operation to be fully optimized. Everywhere oil and gas products are being recovered from beneath the surface of the earth or sea is the result of a massive, complicated undertaking that requires large amounts of fuel and other liquids to keep them running effectively and efficiently. A common example is the hydraulic fracturing process being used to produce much of the shale oil and natural gas found in the U.S. and Canada. The process requires thousands of gallons of water to be sent down the wellbore. This water delivers the chemicals and frac sand that open up the reservoir and allow trapped oil and natural gas to flow to the wellhead on the surface. Once the fracked oil and gas is collected, the water sent down the well, which can contain a large amount of particulates and contaminants, must also be delivered to the well’s surface and either disposed of or recycled for further use. When the actual oil and natural gas rushes to the wellhead, it can feature varying liquid viscosities and particulate levels, depending on the geologic makeup of the well. So, the oilfield operator requires a pump that can do three things:

• handle the pressures required to complete the pumping operation
• handle large volumes of liquids with varying viscosities and particulate levels
• maintain volumetric consistency while producing flow rates that can be as high as thousands of liters per minute

Conclusion

When looking for a pump technology to check all of the operational and compatibility boxes that contribute to an effective oilfield production system, peristaltic pumps can prove to be a strong candidate. The pump’s design, construction and operation make it ideal for many of the unique—and harsh—liquid-handling applications that help define success in the world’s oilfields. Read more Efficiency Matters articles by clicking here.