Shaneyj
Senior Member
- Location
- Katy, Texas
- Occupation
- Project Engineer
Positive displacementA question I have not seen asked, and perhaps because I know nothing about oil well pumps, but is the pump positive displacement or centrifugal?
Positive displacementA question I have not seen asked, and perhaps because I know nothing about oil well pumps, but is the pump positive displacement or centrifugal?
Something about paying taxes on gallons of diesel and inefficiency of tier 4 engines, etc. The oil companies are incentivized to go electric.If it's a standalone, the engine speed may droop as starting current is imposed, reducing the "line" frequency and the motor starting current. Simulation and very detailed specs may be called for.
Of course, if it's a standalone -- one engine, one generator, one motor and one pump -- I wonder why electricity needs to be in the loop at all. Why not just drive the pump with the engine?
Good thing to bring up with the generator supplier and the VFD supplier. As a generalization, most modern generator suppliers have fixed most of the early issues with AVRs being affected by harmonics from VFDs, and most VFDs for motors that side will likely be inclusive of some form or harmonic mitigation. But you are right, it's not something you want to leave to chance.Especially at those sizes, is there anything special needed so the VFD doesn't argue with the generator and it's governor?
It's really only about the cost of running xx miles of high voltage transmission lines, building a unit substation and transformer to run one load for a few years, vs renting diesel gensets that are pulled out and moved somewhere else when the well stops producing enough.So they buy diesel for the generators instead (unless they're burning heavy oil)? That said, electric controls are much easier than mechanical controls (ref things like railroad locomotives and ships' propulsion).
"Clients wants it painted purple, we paint it purple."
If this is a rod pump
I fail to see how correcting PF will save fuel. The engine sees KW not KVA.some rules of thumb
- don't start them across the line unless you absolutely have to.
- generator will need enough starting kva to start the motor/pump assembly, otherwise, it can stall the engine. can lower the skva of the motor with mechanical means or type of starter.
- depending on the power factor, you might consider improving with correction capacitors-this can save fuel costs. beware that the capacitors would need to be disconnected from the electrical system when the pump isn't operating. most industrially available correction capacitors will have this as an option with a contactor that closes when the pump operates, but it must be integrated into the motor controls.
This is a piston style pump.Good thing to bring up with the generator supplier and the VFD supplier. As a generalization, most modern generator suppliers have fixed most of the early issues with AVRs being affected by harmonics from VFDs, and most VFDs for motors that side will likely be inclusive of some form or harmonic mitigation. But you are right, it's not something you want to leave to chance.
Shaneyj,
You say this is a PD pump, so not an ESP, right? If this is a rod pump (a type of Positive Displacement pump used in oil wells), there is another potential issue to consider; braking the motor when you stop. If it is a rod pump, let me know and I'll explain, otherwise it's a lot of typing for nothing...
I fail to see how correcting PF will save fuel. The engine sees KW not KVA.
Good idea, but the operators have control over the load so they can uncouple from the high pressure side via valving before the motor is started. Which is SOP.In the interest of throwing all possible ideas out there and seeing what sticks....
How about a fluid coupling? Might let the motor start unloaded and the once at full rpm you can stage the pump in at whatever RPM you need.
SOP?Good idea, but the operators have control over the load so they can uncouple from the high pressure side via valving before the motor is started. Which is SOP.