Consolidated product from local producers is readied in above ground storage tanks for immediate loading on oceangoing vessels and inland barges when they are berthed. Like the unloading operation, the cargo manifold and loading arms are initially fed at a low rate. This affords time for the inert gas vapors, which are currently occupying the cargo holds, to be evacuated. In this case, the cargo is conveyed to the vessel by large capacity pumps located on shore within the terminal. As the transfer volumes increase, more loading arms are utilized which elevates the backpressure in the system. Volumetric pumps are widely used for these services as their throughput remains constant during the complete loading cycle.

For land based distribution, truck gantries are utilized to facilitate the loading of transport trailers. These rapid, intermittent services are designed to handle multiple products, each being transferred from storage tanks to truck-mounted tanks via flexible loading arms. As most gantries are configured to support the loading of multiple trucks at one time, the delivery rates demanded from the pumps vary significantly. Adjustable speed control of the pumping equipment reduces the need for control valves, minimizes the need to recycle excess capacity, which in turn improves the operating performance of truck loading systems. Rotary positive displacement pumps, due to their broad operating range, are the ideal technology to employ for truck loading operations.

Injection and pipeline transfer In many instances, terminals are located in close proximity to refineries. Interconnecting pipelines provide an economical and efficient conduit for delivering feed stocks to these downstream operations. Depending upon the needs of the refinery, multiple products may need to be batched. Transferring products of varying viscosities and densities can be reliably handled using rotary positive displacement pumps.

Case Study

Tested, Trusted Pump Technology
Keeps Refinery Poised For High Performance

The challenge: Unloading Crude With All Due Speed, Lower Energy Can an oil refinery needing to pick up rail unloading speed while lowering its own embedded energy costs accomplish the twin goals with one solution? For a PADD 1 refinery, the answer, partnering with CIRCOR, was a resounding “yes.” Read more about how refinery’s pump system was ready for action after just 26 weeks after submittal of final certified drawings.

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