Solving a Sever Vibration Problem in the Downstream Piping of a Gear Pump

Abstract

A solution was developed for an extreme discharge piping vibration problem on an 80 hp gear pump piping system. Maximum field-measured vibration levels were over 4 ips 0-pk (200 mm/sec pk-pk). Most gear pumps are not equipped with the typical pulsation dampeners that are found on plunger pumps because the relatively high frequency pulsations that gear pumps generate typically do not result in piping vibration problems. Modeling predictions indicated that the vibrations were primarily driven by pulsations. After implementation of a new gas-liquid dampener, the system vibrations were significantly reduced.