Atypical Results from Improperly Sized & Charged Pulsation Dampeners

Abstract

At a facility with four quintuplex pumps, pulsation dampeners were being used to control pulsations in the discharge line. However, the initial dampeners were both undersized and undercharged for the application. As a result, in addition to some typically expected results, including high pulsations and frequent failures of the internal bladders, the effective volumes of the dampeners and lengths of piping in the system set up an acoustic natural frequency that caused significant safety concern and limited system operability. This natural frequency was in a range that could be excited by the pumps such that the presence of the dampeners in the system was actually causing even higher pulsation levels. This paper will look at the troubleshooting efforts including field testing and acoustic simulations. Results from the modified system will also be discussed.