I am new to this forum.

I am a Process Systems Engineer with about 2 years of

experience. I am working on system design for a crude oil pumping application. My
:question is
This system has 4 X 33% high capacity-high head centrifugal pumps. Each pump has a
dedicated discharge flow control valve and also a dedicated controlled minimum
recirculation line. The pumps have 50% minimum continuous flow requirements. I am
having difficulty in designing the system without actually knowing how the pumps are
going to be operated right from start to completion. What will be the sequence of events
(closing & opening of valves, switching on/off of pump motor, etc) from start-up to normal
operating and from normal operating to shut-off? Under what conditions, the recirculation
line and the main line (combined from all pump discharge lines) will be active and
?inactive
.Please share your experience on multiple parallel operating pumps

Dear my friend
You want to ask about the recirculation line of pump system, don't you?
From my point of view, there are 3 main types of recirculation line to maintain minimum
flow:
- Use control valve

- Use ARV (automatic recirculation valve)

- Use RO

Using Control valve and Restriction Orifice, I think that it is quite clear.
For ARV case: The function of ARV is illustrated in this diagram below.

For operation of the ARV, there are 3 cases this valve.

You can see the file below to get more clear information about this cases.

.I'm not sure that you get all informations which you are not clear about your problem
But if you have any trouble, please reply or send email to me. We will continue discuss
.about this problem
.Let's share, to be shared
.Good luck
.Best regards
LuuQuocDai
Email: luuquocdai@gmail.com
Tel: 0084988521012
.Thank you for your reply
This is a case where control valve is used in recirculation line. Can you please explain
how the plant operator will start these pumps, bring the system to normal operation and

finally switch-off when pumping is complete? It has three pumps operating in parallel and
the system is for intermittent use only. (once in 7 days)
.I have never worked in a plant and don't know how pumps are started/stopped
.Dear my friend
?You want to ask how to start up pump in your system, don't you
.I am not clear about your system, then I don't know how to explain to you
In general, we always make and follow a procedure for start up and shut off a pump
.system or a plant
:For example
With centrifugal pump, we have many main steps as follows
Check items in general (1)
a) Earth connection
b)Coupling connection
c) Coupling cover
d) Foundation bolt
e) Pressure gauge
f) Lubrication oil
g) Housekeeping around
....
Start up pump(2)
.Make sure the discharge valve is closed (a)
Open the vent valve if necessary, and make sure that the pump is (b)
.After that, please Fill with liquid
Open the cooling water valves and make sure that the proper amount of water is
.flowing. Open the flushing oil valves
.Turn the rotor by hand to make sure of smooth rotation (d)
.Fully open the suction valve(e)
.Start the motor & check leakage from seals or packing(f)
After confirming gradual increase of discharge pressure, open the discharge valve (g)
.slowly and completely
.If leakage is found, stop the pump and repair (h)
Another way, there are some items which you have to check during pump is
running
Bearing temperature(a)
Lubricating oil level in the reservoir (or tank) and the amount of grease in the grease (b)

.cup
Flow of cooling water
.Suction and discharge pressure(d)
.Noise and vibration(e)
.Leakage from seals or other connections (f)
If abnormal conditions are observed, stop the pump by switching over to the spare under
.the supervisors instructions
:Shut off procedure
.Close the discharge valve(1)
.Stop the motor(2)
.Stop the cooling water and the flushing oil(3)
.Drain out the pump as required(4)
For other types of pump(displacement type or others), the procedure is quite similar, but
.there are some point you have to pay attention for this type
.I hope that everything's which I said is clear enough for you
If you have any question, please post reply or send email to me. We will continue
.discussing about it
.P/S: This procedure is checked by a Commissioning Supervisor in our company
.I think that it was quite perfect

In minimum flow control through pump using Control valve ,i have seen many variations
of control loop configurations . In some FE/FT is located upstream of recirculation tapping
in some it is downstream of recirculation tapping, can u please advantages
.disadvantages in this two
Dear my friend
?Can you explain more clear about your question
?Actually, I don't understand what do you want to ask
You mean that we can put FT/FE in the upstream and the downstream of recirculation
?tapping, don't you
.My problem which I said is illustrated in the picture belows

.FT/FE in the sketch shown is in the downstream of recirculation tapping

upstream If it in just immediate of pump discharge before Tee joint for recirculation &
.pipe
.please tell how the control loop will be formed in these two cases
Gold : I think as per all cases i have seen, FE/FT should be considered upstream of
recirculation tapping,because FALL on the same FE/FT activated an interlock shutting
down the pump and if FE/FT being considered downstream of tapping ,the flowrate may
.pass through min flow FV has not been accounted

How do we decide whether to use dedicated or a combined min. recirculation lines for
.multiple pumps operating in parallel
Example : If there 4 X 33% pumps, should we have 4 min recirculation lines branching off
from each pump's discharge or a single line branching from the combined line after
?adding all the pump discharge
Dear my friends
About your questions, I have to remind you that, the function of minimum flow is protect
.pump
.With this function, you have to minimum flow for all pumps in 3 pumps system
.After that, all minimum flows will combine and return to suction equipment

.Normally, with 3 pumps system, 1 pump is in stand by state

Just my opinion. If you find any mistakes in my sentences which I posted, please let's me
.know
.Thanks in advance