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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
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    Pumper drums VS NH3 pumps. Energy saving



    Hi Guys
    On a different note
    Does any other country know a pumper drum that is used to pump liquid ammonia in the place of a normal hermetic or Witt pump?
    We make use of double pumper drums that uses flash gas to rise the pressure in a vessel to pump liquid ammonia. GEA apparently made tests and compared to Witt pump energy usage and according to them it uses more energy, this does not make sense as flash gas is a wasted energy when filling the accumulator.

    My opinion is that they spread this story as they are losing money not selling pumps.
    We have pumper drums running for more than 30 years with no maintenance needed, but overhauling a Witt pump is expensive these days.


    THE BEST WAY OF LEARNING IS TO DO IT YOURSELF!!!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    australia
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    Re: Pumper drums VS NH3 pumps. Energy saving

    Quote Originally Posted by Lodiev View Post
    Hi Guys
    On a different note
    Does any other country know a pumper drum that is used to pump liquid ammonia in the place of a normal hermetic or Witt pump?
    We make use of double pumper drums that uses flash gas to rise the pressure in a vessel to pump liquid ammonia. GEA apparently made tests and compared to Witt pump energy usage and according to them it uses more energy, this does not make sense as flash gas is a wasted energy when filling the accumulator.

    My opinion is that they spread this story as they are losing money not selling pumps.
    We have pumper drums running for more than 30 years with no maintenance needed, but overhauling a Witt pump is expensive these days.
    Lodiev,
    With pump-a-drum system it probably is a little less efficient if you use hot gas to transfer it.
    Find it hard to believe you have had no maintenance on it in 30 years though, as lots of valves
    that have to work correctly.
    Pumps are simple & if no cavitation could last for 10 years between services.
    As with liquid injection, all these things have a place.
    You would not convert your transfer system to save only a few dollars.
    Also who cares what GEA think, not me.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Canada
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    Re: Pumper drums VS NH3 pumps. Energy saving

    Typically, ammonia pumps use 1-2% of plant energy. Better type of pumping will save fraction of 1%. Why to bother? Lowering condensing pressure by 1 psig will save you more than right pumping.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    USA
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    61
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    Re: Pumper drums VS NH3 pumps. Energy saving

    I know I am responding to an old thread, but I have been off line for awhile. GEA is telling the truth, Wilbert Stoecker in his book "Industrial Refrigeration Handbook" shows that gas pumping uses between 50% to 100% more energy than a mechanically pumped system. A gas pumped system is using the compressors to push the liquid. That being said changing an existing system requires a very careful analysis and proper pump selection.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    australia
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    Re: Pumper drums VS NH3 pumps. Energy saving

    GEA wasted money on there testing, they should have read Wilbert Stoecker, or maybe they did & went to the Pub!

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