Application of Chemical Pumps in the Petrochemical Industry

1. Core Application Scenarios (By Process Link)

1.1 Crude Oil Extraction and Gathering

• Submersible Electric Pumps: Used in offshore and onshore oilfields to lift crude oil from thousands of meters underground. They feature high pressure resistance and hydrogen sulfide corrosion resistance.
• Oil Pipeline Pumps: Applied in long-distance crude oil and refined oil pipelines for large-flow, high-pressure, and continuous stable transportation.
• Wharf/Oil Depot Loading and Unloading Pumps: Complete oil loading and unloading quickly and safely, suitable for flammable media.

1.2 Oil Refineries (Atmospheric and Vacuum Distillation, Catalysis, Hydrogenation, etc.)

• Atmospheric and Vacuum Distillation Units: Crude oil feed pumps and bottom pumps (residual oil/wax oil) that withstand high temperature, high viscosity, and sulfur corrosion.
• Catalytic Cracking Units: Slurry pumps (containing catalyst particles) and recycle oil pumps with wear resistance and particle erosion resistance.
• Hydrofining/Hydrocracking Units: High-pressure feed pumps (15–30 MPa) and circulating hydrogen pumps that resist hydrogen embrittlement, high temperature, and achieve zero leakage.
• Reforming/Aromatics Units: Reforming feed pumps and aromatics extraction pumps for transporting toxic/flammable media such as benzene and toluene.

1.3 Ethylene/Chemical Units (Olefins, Synthetic Materials)

• Ethylene Cracking Units: Quench oil pumps and cracked gasoline pumps that withstand high temperature, coking tendency, and coke-containing media.
• Polyethylene/Polypropylene Units: Catalyst feed pumps and melt pumps with high viscosity, high pressure, and precise metering capabilities.
• Ammonia Synthesis/Urea Units: Ammonia pumps and carbamate pumps that resist strong corrosion, high pressure, and crystallization.

1.4 Utility and Auxiliary Systems

• Boiler Feed Water/Circulating Water Pumps: Operate continuously with large flow and low pressure.
• Fire Water/Foam Fluid Pumps: Feature emergency start-up capability and high reliability.
• Heat Transfer Oil/Heat Medium Circulation Pumps: Withstand high temperatures (above 300℃), achieve zero leakage, and have good thermal stability.

2. Matching of Mainstream Pump Types with Petrochemical Scenarios

3. Key Technical Requirements for Chemical Pumps in the Petrochemical Industry

1. Corrosion Resistance: Flow passage components are made of 316L, Hastelloy, titanium, fluoroplastics, etc., to resist corrosion from acids, alkalis, salts, hydrogen sulfide, and chloride ions.
2. High/Low Temperature Resistance: Suitable for temperatures ranging from -196℃ (LNG) to 450℃ (hot oil pumps), equipped with cooling/insulation and thermal compensation structures.
3. High Pressure and Reliability: Pumps for hydrogenation units can reach 30 MPa, requiring zero leakage, long service life (more than 3 years), and low maintenance.
4. Wear Resistance and Particle Resistance: For particle-containing media such as slurry and gray water, wear-resistant linings and hardened impellers are required.
5. Safety and Environmental Protection: For flammable/toxic media, seal-less pumps (magnetic drive pumps) or double mechanical seals + flushing systems are preferred, complying with API 682 standards.
6. Energy Saving and Intelligence: Wide high-efficiency area, frequency conversion adjustment, online monitoring (vibration, temperature, leakage), suitable for digital factories.

4. Typical Application Cases

• Atmospheric and Vacuum Distillation Unit: API 610 centrifugal pumps transport crude oil with a flow rate of 800 m³/h and a head of 180 m, ensuring the continuous operation of ten-million-ton refineries.
• Hydrogenation Unit: Hydrogen embrittlement-resistant alloy centrifugal pumps operate at 20 MPa and 380℃, achieving zero leakage with double mechanical seals.
• Slurry System: Wear-resistant lined centrifugal pumps extend the impeller service life from 6 months to 18 months, reducing downtime.
• Liquefied Hydrocarbon Tank Farm: Magnetic drive pumps transport LPG to eliminate leakage risks and meet safety standards.

5. Selection and Application Tips

• Prioritize compliance withAPI 610/682 standards to ensure adaptability to petrochemical working conditions.
• Medium characteristics (viscosity, corrosion, particles, temperature, pressure) are the primary basis for pump selection.
• For high-risk media (flammable, explosive, highly toxic), seal-less pumps or double mechanical seals + flushing solutions are preferred.
• For high-viscosity/particle-containing media, positive displacement pumps (screw, reciprocating) are preferred over centrifugal pumps.