14 OCT 2014

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

DESCRIPTION

4. Displacement to the other pipe follows.

1. Positive displacement pumps are a classification

of pumps which introduce movement or flow in
the fluid via successive trapping and displacing
of a definite volume of fluid.
2. Pressure is created by the systems response to
the flow.
3. The volume of fluid displaced in each cycle is
constant regardless of the amount of resistance
present in the system as long as pump limits are
not exceeded. Hence, positive displacement
pumps are also called Constant Flow Pumps
since they produce the same flow rate at a given
speed (RPM) no matter what the discharge
pressure is.
4. These pumps continue to discharge fluid as long
as they are powered.

[INSERT DIAGRAM OF OPERATION]

For reciprocating-type PD pumps:
1. The piston, plunger or membrane recedes,
closes the discharge valve while opening the
suction valve.
2. The fluid comes in due to decrease in
pressure.
3. The piston, plunger or membrane moves
forward, closes the suction valve while
opening the discharge valve.
4. The fluid is pushed out due to increase in
pressure.
[INSERT DIAGRAM OF OPERATION]

PERFORMANCE CURVE

TYPES
Positive displacement pumps are classified according to
the mechanism used to move the fluid.
1. Rotary-type uses rotary motion: turning motion
in an axis without a change in linear position
has a rotating mechanism that creates a vacuum
used to draw in the liquid
[INSERT PICTURE OF PD ROTARY PUMP]
2. Reciprocating-type uses back-and-forth action
has pistons, plungers or membranes
[INSERT PICTURE OF PD RECIPROCATING PUMP]

PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTION

[INSERT PICTURE OF DIAGRAM FOR PD ROTARY
PUMP]
[INSERT PICTURE OF
RECIPROCATING PUMP]

DIAGRAM

FOR

PD

The ideal PD pump produces a constant flow rate

regardless of the pressure in the system as shown in the
figure above. However, in actual PD pumps, some fluid
may leak back to the suction side during the discharge
step as the pressure increases. This reduces the
effective flow rate of the pump as seen in the dashed
curve in the figure. The rate at which the fluid leaks from
the discharge is called slippage.

HOW THEY WORK

In general, PD pumps work using this principle: An
increasing volume is opened to suction, filled,
closed, moved to discharge, and displaced.
For rotary-type PD pumps:
1. The shaft rotates, increasing the volume of
fluid in the suction side.
2. Once filled, the space is sealed off from the
suction.
3. The fluid is moved to the discharge space
through the motion of the rotor.

14 OCT 2014

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

b. Flow Rate vs. Viscosity

The figure above shows the different characteristic
curves of Kodiak Positive Displacement Pumps, here, it
is more clearly seen how slippage affects the effective
flow rate of the pump for the different types.

c.

Efficiency vs. Pressure

The intersection of the system curve and the PD pump

curve is called the best efficiency point (BEP). At these
conditions, the PD pump operates the best. Also, as
seen in the figure above, PD pumps require a lower
pressure to achieve BEP compared to a centrifugal
pump.

PD PUMPS VS CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

a. Flow Rate vs. Pressure

d. Efficiency vs. Viscosity

14 OCT 2014

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

types of pumps are utilized for their ability to
transfer difficult liquids, such as those that
containing solids or highly viscous fluids. They
work by using a single screw or rotor inside a
double-threaded rubber stator to build pressure
and move fluid. They are mostly used in shallow
wells or at the surface.
2. Twin Screw Pump This pump works by rotating
to form chambers with the intermeshing of the
two screws inside the pump housing. The
chambers fill with fluid and move it from the
suction side to the higher pressure discharge
side of the pump, a process that can be
reversed in some twin screw pumps. They can
handle virtually any non-homogeneous fluid with
any of abrasiveness, lubricity, and viscosity. Twin
pumps are most often used in situations that
contain high gas volume fractions and
fluctuating inlet conditions.

APPLICATION AND USES

In general, PD pumps are more useful when:
1. Using high viscosity fluids
2. Using fluids with large gas fractions
3. Using shear sensitive fluids
4. Doing variable viscosity applications
5. The system requires high pressures
6. Transport where constant flow rates
important
7. Doing suction lift applications

are

Oil and Gas Industry

1. Progressive Cavity Pump Also known as
eccentric screw or single screw pumps, these

* Oil pipelines normally require a constant flow at various

pressures. At a constant flow rate, pipeline pressure will
vary with changes in viscosity. Pipelines transport
different products with different viscosities and
pressures. Product cooling will increase viscosity and
pressure. This is of concern if a pipeline is temporarily
shut down then restarted. A centrifugal may not be able
to produce a high enough pressure to clear the line. A
PD pump will overcome the pressure and restart flow