Why is only one circulation acid pump provided for each of the three absorption towers?
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I work in engineering design, and normal process installations should have a backup pump; yet I found that the acid pump in a sulfur-based acid production process didn’t even have a backup pump? What considerations are at play at that time? Is it an isolated case?
Most pumps used in absorption tanks are submersible pumps, and the base of these pumps is very large; if two such pumps are placed in a tank that holds a few cubic meters of volume, there is hardly any space left. It is possible to consider using one of these pumps as a backup unit for switching over, but if it remains inside the tank for an extended period, it becomes impossible to carry out maintenance without shutting down the system, as the valves in the sulfuric acid pipelines are mostly butterfly valves with poor sealing properties. As a result, it’s not feasible to disconnect the pipelines while the backup pump is in operation. It’s better to stop. Putting it all together should answer your question
The answer is very comprehensive. Thank you very much
Imported pumps are generally used; they are more expensive, but their performance is fully guaranteed； The fan is also one too
Previously, imported Lewis acid pumps were used, but now domestic pumps are used; those from Kunming Jiahe and Dalian Great Wall are both suitable.
Generally, three circulation acid pumps are standard; only one is kept as a backup. When a pump develops a problem and needs to be replaced, the plant is shut down for the replacement.
It’s the issue of hot standby and cold standby; generally, the equipment operating on hazardous process routes does not use hot standby, mainly for safety reasons during maintenance
Today, the reliability of domestic concentrated acid pumps (except HRS) is already very high; most manufacturers keep spare concentrated acid pumps for the dry absorption section outside the tank.