Diesel Transfer Pump
Industry Served: Gas, Oil & Petrochemical
Problem:
The diesel transfer pumps on an offshore platform had never operated reliably or automatically since installation. This forced operators to transfer diesel to the electrical generators manually, resulting in significant delays and safety risks.
Chronic issues included:
• Recurring diaphragm ruptures
• Diesel leakage at the muffler
• Hose failures
• Excessive vibration in pump and piping
• Frequent instrument damage (pressure transmitters, PSVs, filter elements)
• Low and inconsistent transfer pressure
• Extremely long transfer times (6–8 hours for a 30% fill)
Root Causes Identified:
1. Pump suction pressure significantly exceeded recommended limits, producing severe water hammer effects and subjecting PTFE diaphragms to damaging pressure spikes.
2. Process air regulator pressure was set too high, further increasing pressure peaks and accelerating failures.
3. The original pump design lacked necessary stabilizing accessories to control pulsation and protect downstream components.
Solution:
To restore reliability and enable fully automatic operation of the diesel transfer system, the following upgrades were implemented:
Equipment Installed
• Blacoh J4020V AT High Pressure Inlet Stabilizer on pump inlet
• Blacoh A2520V AT Pulsation Dampener on pump discharge
• Recommended replacement of PTFE pump diaphragms with Viton diaphragms for better resilience to pressure spikes
These modifications were designed to extend component life, reduce leaks, create smoother flow, and bring the system into compliance.
Result:
Following installation of the inlet stabilizer and pulsation dampener, the diesel transfer system achieved dramatic performance improvements:
Operational Performance
• Transfer time reduced from 6–8 hours to just 20 minutes
• Pump discharge pressure now remains constant throughout operation
• Pump flow stabilized at 35 gpm
• Cavitation eliminated; noise significantly reduced
Reliability Improvements
• Extended life of diaphragms, hoses, and high purity filters
• Significant reduction in vibration across piping and mechanical connections
• Elimination of recurring leaks
• Longer service life for pressure transmitters, PSVs, and filters
• Stabilized suction and discharge pressures