Amarinth designs 8m long API 610 VS4 vertical pumps for Aquatech waste water treatment plant at the SOCAR Aegean Refinery, Turkey

Corrosive sulphuric acid

During the ion exchange process, the condensate, containing the harmful minerals that need removing, is collected in 8m deep concrete tanks. A neutralising solution is then added to the condensate and an ion exchange process takes place between the condensate and the neutralising solution producing clean water that is free of the harmful ions and which can therefore be disposed of safely.

However, the by-product of the ion exchange process is highly concentrated sulphuric acid, which then needs to be removed from the ion exchange tanks for on-going processing.

Aquatech approached Amarinth to supply API 610 VS4 high-flow sump pumps, rated at 500m3/h, with Plan 53B seal support systems, to pump out this highly corrosive sulphuric acid from the ion exchange tanks at the STAR refinery.

Amarinth was selected for its wealth of experience and knowledge in designing pumps for such demanding applications within the industry.

Modular design

In designing the pumps, Amarinth leveraged its unique modular design for API 610 VS4 pumps that has been configured to handle over 100,000 variants, quickly delivering a design for almost any pump length or application.

The bespoke design of 8m long API 610 VS4 pumps for Aquatech used a range of standardised modules, consisting of assemblies and sub-assemblies, which had already been checked against mating parts for clashes using computer-aided design tools, ensuring that any variant assembled from the modules would fit together perfectly.

Amarinth worked closely with Aquatech and STAR Rafineri to agree on the material for the pumps that could withstand the corrosive fluid, settling on Alloy 20. Furthermore, to ensure even higher reliability and to protect the pump column bearings from corrosion, an external flush design was incorporated. Finally, Plan 53B seal support systems were supplied to ensure total containment of the sulphuric acid and its associated fumes.

Challenge of pump testing

Final testing of the pumps could not be undertaken at full length as they were longer than the depth of the test tank. However, Amarinth was able to develop a bespoke test using a slightly shorter length of the pump that successfully proved the pumps capabilities for the target site conditions.