Steam purging
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Everyone, could you please tell us the location of the fixed steam purge lines inside your catalytic units? Also, if the steam purge line of the pump is connected to the pump’s inlet, does the purge flow through the pump as well, before proceeding to purge the pump’s outlet line? Thank you!
Steam is used at the inlet of the pump, typically in hot oil pumps; its function is to purge the oil inside the pump when maintenance is required. It is generally not used for the outlet pipeline of a W purge pump.
Typical fixed locations for blowing steam include the exhaust ports, the inlet and outlet of pumps, as well as the inlet and outlet of heat exchangers (for hot oil), among others. As for blowing steam at the pump inlet, this is usually done outside the inlet valve of the pump; however, heat oil pumps also have blowing points designed inside the inlet valve. During pump maintenance, heat oil pumps need to be purged, while cold oil pumps generally do not require such treatment – it is sufficient to remove all pressure from them. During maintenance, purging of the pump is typically carried out first through the bypass lines, so that the medium inside the pipes can be removed, and then through the pump itself. Pumps should not be purged for long periods of time, as this can lead to failure of their seals; there are precedents for this
We do not purge the pump; generally, the outlet of the pump is left open to allow the medium inside the pump to be expelled, thereby protecting the mechanical seal.