Objectives

• Explain the basic design principles of reciprocating plunger pumps.
• Identify the major zones and components of plunger pumps.

Think of a plunger pump just like a basic bottle jack used to lift heavy loads.

1. A plunger retracts, creating suction that draws fluid in.
2. The plunger then reverses, and slams the fluid out.
3. Suction and discharge valves ensure that fluid can only flow through the pump in one direction.

The only significant difference between a triplex pump and a quintuplex pump is the number of pumping galleries. A triplex pump has 3 galleries, and a quintuplex pump has 5.

You can find nearly any size of plunger pump on the market — simplex (1), duplex (2), quadruplex (4), etc. You can even find nonuplex (9) pumps! These larger pumps are relatively rare, because it is often more practical to use two smaller pumps in parallel to achieve such high flow rates.

This lesson will focus on triplex and quintuplex pumps, but the operating principles are the same for any variety of plunger pump.

You may hear of a plunger pump referred to as a high pressure pump.

It’s not accurate to say that the pump creates high pressure. This statement refers to the pump’s ability to continue pumping at a specified flow rate even under extremely high pressure.

High pumping pressures are caused by resistance to flow somewhere downstream from the pump. Plunger pumps are able to keep pumping at a set flow rate, even against strong resistance. This ability means that plunger pumps are positive displacement pumps.

(Want to brush up on positive versus non-postive pumping? Head over to this session for a refresher!)

Staggered Plungers

Plunger pumps get their names from the number of reciprocating plungers/pistons that force the fluid through the fluid end. A triplex has 3, a quintuplex has 5, and so on.

These plungers move in a staggered sequence to provide a steady rate of flow out of the pump. At any point in time, each plunger is at a different place in its stroke than any of the other plungers.

Power End

The power end contains the mechanism to operate the plungers.

Fluid End

The fluid end refers strictly to the zone that liquid is sucked into and forced out of.

The power end component group includes the crankshaft, the connecting rods, the crossheads and their wrist pins.

The fluid end component group includes the cylinder block, plungers with their packing assemblies, and the suction and discharge valve assemblies.

Try It Out

This animation shows a single gallery of a plunger pump. Click and drag on the slider to adjust the speed of the crankshaft. Keep an eye on the suction and discharge valves; each opens and closes with every cycle of the pump.

The triplex pump puts three plunger and gallery combinations together and runs them in a staggered sequence.

The quintuplex does the same, but with five plunger and gallery combinations.