Optimum Efficiency and Reliability: Water Cooling for Process Gas Pumps

Advantages of Water Cooling in Large Process Pumps

In industries such as petrochemicals and natural gas processing, large process pumps are an integral part of the operation. But other industries also require cooling, such as facilities that compress helium for storage and transportation or for inert gas recovery, where maintaining pump efficiency and reliability is paramount.

When compressing inert gases such as helium, adequate cooling of the process pumps in use is especially critical. These gases have a high polytropic exponent, a thermodynamic parameter that describes how the temperature of a gas changes when it is compressed or expanded without exchanging heat with the environment. Inert gases such as helium have particularly high exponents, resulting in significant heat generation during compression. Techniques such as water cooling are vital for ensuring the reliable performance and longevity of installed process pumps.

The compression process of certain gases generates considerable heat, particularly near the pump's discharge valve where the pressure is highest. To cope with this, KNF process pumps such as the N 680.1.2 Ex are equipped with additional channels in the pump head. These allow water to be directed precisely to the source of the heat generation for targeted cooling. As water flows through the pump head, it dissipates heat, preventing overheating and maintaining optimal operating temperatures.

Reliable Cooling Systems for Optimal Pump Performance

The cooling circuit can be maintained by KNF liquid pumps such as the FP 400 at lower flow rates, ensuring continuous and sustained heat removal. In addition to improving the efficiency of the cooling process, this method ensures the reliability and longevity of the pumps, making it an essential feature in the operation of large process gas pumps.

By operating independently of the pumping process, the cooling system can provide optimal temperatures without affecting the performance of the process pump. The coolant passing through the pump head is completely isolated from the pumping chamber to prevent contact with the gas or mechanical components. This also maintains the reliability, gas tightness and, where required, explosion-proof characteristics of the installed process pump, ensuring its integrity and safety.

Sustainable Heat Management

Water cooling of large process pumps offers significant sustainability benefits. Compared to cooling methods that rely on synthetic refrigerants or coolants, using only water eliminates the need for these potentially harmful substances. In addition, water cooling can be designed as a closed-loop system to sustainably absorb and dissipate heat without the need for a continuous supply of fresh water. In dual-head pump systems, cooling systems can be connected in series, requiring only one cooling circuit to cool both pump heads. This provides high efficiency at low cost.

Managing High Pressures Safely

In hazardous areas, reliable cooling is critical. Water cooling plays a key role because it can dissipate significant compression heat, allowing higher pressures to be safely handled. This increases process performance while also significantly improving safety in demanding, potentially explosive environments. By maintaining optimal temperatures, water cooling helps prevent overheating and the risk of hazards, ensuring both operational efficiency and safety.

Seamless Cooling and Tailored Customization

KNF process pumps, such as the N 680.1.2 Ex and N 630.15 Ex, come standard with channels specifically designed for the integration of cooling systems to ensure effective temperature control. In addition, all KNF pumps can be extensively customized to meet the unique requirements of each application. From the choice of the right material and motor option to the appropriate mounting and connections, every detail can be customized to ensure seamless compatibility with the customer's system.