Research on material protection for overhung pump cover: Suppressing vortex formation within the balance chamber

Abstract The column bottom pump is a crucial component of the atmospheric and vacuum device, and its stable operation is essential for the safe processing of crude oil. This paper analyzes the abnormal issues identified during the maintenance of a column bottom pump at a petrochemical plant, revealing a correlation between pump cover material damage and vortex formation in the balance chamber. A modification plan for the pump cover is proposed. The research results indicate that the installation of a baffle can effectively mitigate the vortex in the balance chamber, enhance the flow velocity through the balance holes, and subsequently alleviate the accumulation of solid particles and damage to the pump cover material. Feedback from engineering practices confirms that this improvement is both effective and reasonable.