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A refinery had a problem with spilled and leaked
hydrocarbons that had accumulated on their property and had
seeped into the ground water. The refinery started operations
before World War II and was one of the first refineries to
make jet fuel for the war effort. As time went on, increased
environmental concerns dictated that the operating refinery
clean up and recover spilled and leaked hydrocarbons that
had accumulated over the years.
Several options for recovery of the hydrocarbons from the
ground water had been attempted with verying degrees of success.
A french drain was placed at the perimeter of the property
to recover surface and shallow ground water. For deeper hydrocarbon
recovery, 18" dia. recovery wells were drilled to varying
depths with an average depth of 50'.
Several types of recovery pumps were tested. Submersible
electric pumps recovered the ground water and the hydrocarbons
but the centrifugal pumping action of the pump mixed and emulsified
the ground water and hydrocarbon together making the recovered
mix difficult to separate and treat. Pneumatic air pumps caused
excessive VOC exhaust venting because the pneumatic compressed
air used to pump the ground water and hydrocarbons also collected
VOC contaminants with every pneumatic air pump discharge.
A pump was needed which could effectively remove the ground
water and hydrocarbons without these undesirable side-effects.
It was still preferred by the refinery to use electrical power
if possible, because it gave them more control over the pumping
operation and required less maintenance. However, the electric
motor and wires could not enter the hazardous environment
of the well.
The Blackhawk Anchor Piston, Electric Model 102EVFD was chosen.
The Anchor Pump is an above ground, top head driven, mechanically-powered
piston pump. This pump is built on the same design principle
as the oil well sucker pump, a pump that has been used in
the oil recovery business for nearly 100 years. Due to its
reputation, and since this type of pump is still used in 86%
of oil recovery wells, the refinery personnel felt comfortable
with the pumping mechanics and approved its use at the facility.
The Electric Anchor Pump uses a 1.25" plunger drive
piston down hole made of engineered thermoplastics that are
compatible with hydrocarbon chemistry. The drive piston is
powered from the surface by the reciprocating action of the
continuous fiberglass drive rod. The reciprocating motion
of the surface drive motor is transferred down well by this
fiberglass drive rod to the plunger drive piston sucking and
lifting product to the surface with each reciprocating stroke.
A 1/2 hp, 230/460V drive motor actuator assembly, controlled
by a variable frequency drive (VFD) control panel powers the
pump. The control panel allows for controlled low flow, and
undisturbed hydrocarbon recovery. Some of the wells at the
site are pumping the recovered hydrocarbon against a 30psi
head pressure. The reciprocating action of the Anchor Pump
sucks liquid down to the bottom of the foot valve intake screen,
ensuring a controlled liquid level in the recovery well.
The refinery now has the ability to recover the undisturbed
hydrocarbon product in a way that it can be reintroduced into
the refinery for reprocessing and sale. Since the Anchor Pumps
are top head driven they have been easy to service and maintain.
Both of the original problems were solved: The refinery's
desire to use electrical power was enabled by the fact that
the Anchor pump requires no in-well wiring and since the pump
is electrical, rather than pneumatic, the VOC venting was
no longer an issue.
For more information,
please contact BLACKHAWK ENVIRONMENTAL COMPANY
21W161 Hill Avenue, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. Phone: 630-469-4916.
Fax: 630-469-4896.
Or email us.
For more
information about this pump and other Blackhawk Environmental
quality pumping and control products, call today
630-469-4916. |
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