Document P/N: 2P136539
Release Date: 05/25/2017
Revision: F
19 of 42
Supercharging System Requirements:
Due to the high-speed design characteristics associated with well service plunger pumps, supercharging the
SPM
®
well service fluid end is necessary. The nature of well service operations (extreme variations in flow
rates coupled with the pumping of heavy slurries) requires a well-designed supercharge system. The
supercharging system must deliver an adequate supply of fluid to the plunger pump’s suction manifold at high
enough pressures and flow velocities to prevent the pump from starving for fluid while at the same time,
maintaining fluid flow velocities high enough to keep solids suspended in the fluid slurry. A well designed
supercharging system is extremely important in avoiding the harmful effects of cavitation and ensuring trouble-
free service of the SPM
®
well service fluid end. A well-designed supercharging system will meet the following
guidelines:
Primary Suction Piping and Hoses:
These are defined as the piping where the fluid first begins to flow from its source through gravity flow or
atmospheric pressure only. This portion of the system is usually a pipe or hose that connects the fluid reservoir
to the charge pump or blender suction pump. The flow velocity (based on the plunger pump’s maximum flow
rating with the size plunger being used) in this portion of the system must not exceed 4 feet per second in order
to flow freely under atmospheric pressure or gravity flow. Other guidelines are as follows:
Hoses must be oil and chemical resistant wire reinforced combination vacuum/discharge hose rated at
305inHg/150 PSI minimum.
If steel piping is used; all piping runs must be installed so that they are level or progressively higher
toward the plunger pump in order to prevent air traps in the system. When used, reducer fittings should
be of the eccentric type and installed “belly down” in order to prevent air traps. All welded connections
must be air and fluid tight.
All piping or hoses in this portion of the system should be kept as short as possible (10 feet or less and
should be free of excessive bends and turns).
Centrifugal Supercharge Pump/Mixing Pump:
Some well servicing operations require the use of two centrifugals - one for mixing a slurry and the other for
supercharging the plunger pump. When two centrifugals are used, they must both meet the following
guidelines:
Must be capable of delivering the rated maximum flow of the plunger pump while
maintaining 80 PSI
(185 feet head)
minimum at the plunger pump suction inlet during all phases of the well service job.
Must be sized appropriately to overcome any friction losses in the piping between the centrifugal’s
discharge and the SPM
®
plunger pump’s suction inlet. For example, depending on the length, and the
layout of the piping, the centrifugal may have to be oversized to deliver the required flow at higher
pressures at its discharge in order to maintain 80 PSI (185 feet head) at the plunger pump suction inlet.
Must be operated at a speed which will deliver the required flow within the upper 25% of its efficiency
range in order to assure adequate fluid acceleration on demand from the plunger pump.
Must be adequately powered to deliver the plunger pump’s fluid requirements based on volume,
pressure, and the specific gravity of the fluid or slurry.
