PUMPS
PUMPS FOR CHINESE REFINERY
SULZER
Local manufacture of high-performance Sulzer pumps
provides cost, time and service benefits
Close collaboration between Sulzer
specialists in Asia, Europe and the US was
key to a complex project that allowed twelve
sophisticated pumps from three individual
designs to be manufactured at Sulzer’s China
plant for the first time. Sulzer’s ability to bring
the new models into production quickly
allowed its customer to meet tight project
timelines, as well as demanding technical and
commercial goals.
Market demand for fuel and products derived
from oil and gas is being met by expanded
exploration and the use of new technologies
to maximize the potential of existing wells.
The introduction of new technology is
improving efficiency for the petrochemical
sector, which in turn helps to reduce the cost
of everyday items, from recycling bins to
toothbrushes and the tires on your car.
China’s hydrocarbon processing industry
is the largest, and fastest growing, in the
world. To meet demand and maintain
competitiveness, companies across the
sector are continually investing in new
capacity and advanced technologies. For
one refinery, that included a major project to
upgrade and optimize its facilities.
CHALLENGING START
In 2016, the refinery took the decision
to introduce new equipment across its
plant, including a new ebullated bed
hydroprocessing system using H-OilRC
technology from a French process licensor.
This system is designed to add value in
the refining process by extracting valuable
hydrocarbon products from heavy feedstock
residues, which may contain high levels of
solids and other contaminants.
When it came to the selection of pumps
for the new system, the refinery was aware
that the nature of the various feedstocks
created demanding operating conditions.
The internal components can be exposed to
high levels of wear and there is a significant
potential for flow to be disrupted by large
solid particles.
The refinery knew that it was possible to
obtain pumps designed specifically to
CP feed pump for the ebullated bed residue hydrocracking application
perform well in these conditions, but it was
unable to find a local source of supply.
Using equipment manufactured in China
wherever possible is an important part of the
refinery’s procurement strategy, as it seeks
to localize supply chain and ensure ease of
maintenance and support.
GLOBAL EXPERTISE, LOCAL
PRESENCE
That’s where Sulzer was able to help. As a
global pump specialist, Sulzer already had
a significant presence in China, producing
pumps in the Dalian factory since 1999, and
at a second plant in Suzhou since 2010.
Sulzer also has a long-standing relationship
with the parent company of the refinery,
supplying and supporting pumps at many of
its facilities in the country. After discussing
the requirements, oil and gas industry
experts at Sulzer recommended two proven
technologies from the company’s extensive
portfolio. Just as importantly, they also agreed
to manufacture the critical pumps in China.
Like any major facility upgrade project, the
ebullated bed system was planned to a tight
schedule. So once the agreement was in
place, Sulzer moved quickly to bring the new
products to life in its China plants.
MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE,
MAXIMUM DURABILITY
The first of those products was the CP
multistage barrel pump designed to API
610 type BB5 specifications. The Sulzer CP
design incorporates an axial-split volute
casing, which is less susceptible to wear
than alternative designs when a high level of
abrasive solids are present.
52 PECM Issue 46