Structure modeling and analysis for improving the strength of horizontal pump system

Abstract

Generally, pumps are used as equipment to move liquids from one place to another, such as in power plants, petroleum companies, etc. One of the kinds of the pump is the Horizontal Pumping System which consists of a motor, trust room, cradle, pump, and base. This study is motivated by the problem appearing of load increase at the suction and discharge nozzle so that it exceeds the allowable load. That load surges cause the pump structure to receive large vibrations, which results in damage to some Horizontal Pump System structures. Therefore, structural analysis on the Horizontal Pumping System to determine the displacement and durability of each cradle are necessary. The purpose of this study is to determine the strength of the pump structure and design additional tools to strengthen the pump structure. In this study, SOLIDWORKS is used for 3D modeling of the Horizontal Pump System structure. Meanwhile, the strength analysis of the structure is conducted using ANSYS Static Structural. Based on the analysis results, there is a quite large displacement in the pump section associated with the suction nozzle. On the other hand, the cradle resistance is still in the elastic deformation area with a maximum value of 24881.97 psi (σy = 3.01x104 psi). Therefore, development is needed by adding a cradle in the pump section associated with a suction nozzle. By adding this cradle there is a reduction in displacement experienced by the pump. Pump displacement changes to 0.036 - 0.097 inches in x-axis, 0.009 - 0.021 inches in y-axis, and 0.001 - 0.005 inches in z-axis.