Hexagonal reciprocating pump: advantages and weaknesses

Abstract

This paper reports the 1-D fluid transient simulation results of the discharge flow conditions in a 6-cylinder reciprocating slurry pump. Two discharge manifold configurations are studied comparatively; a case with a hexagon shaped discharge manifold where each cylinder discharges at a single vertex, and a case where all the cylinders discharges are lumped together into a tank shaped manifold. In addition, the study examines the effect of two pulsation mitigation measures in the case of hexagonal manifold; a single inline orifice in one of the hexagon sides and a volumetric dampener at the manifold outlet. The study establishes the pressure and flow fluctuation characteristics of each configuration and decouples the pulsation characteristics of the pump and the discharge manifold.