Non-lubricating fluid pumping system

Abstract

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a pump technology that provides for more effective and efficient transfer of liquids, such as glycol products, in a glycol dehydration system. Such a technology can comprise a type of external gear pump that can effectively handle harsh conditions associated with glycol dehydration system at high pressures, while providing for longer pump life, effective operations at higher temperatures, and operations that account for thermal shock; with improved sealing capability, in a cost-effective system. An example pump may comprise hardened internal components, improved clearances, a jacket to mitigate thermal shock, and/or a thermal shock plate to mitigate thermal shock.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pump for pumping non-lubricating fluids, comprising:
 an internal pump chamber comprising a first material;   a driver shaft that provides rotational power to the pump;   a driven shaft that rotates as a result of the rotational power from the driver shaft;   a first external gear disposed on the driver shaft in the internal pump chamber, the first external gear comprising a second material;   a second external gear disposed on the driven shaft in the internal pump chamber, the second external gear comprising the second material, the first gear and the second gear being disposed in an intermeshing engagement that drives fluid through the internal pump chamber under the rotational power; and   a head assembly disposed at an end of the driver shaft and the driven shaft;   wherein the first material is different than the second material, and the first material and the second material are rated to 350° F. and are resistant to thermal shock.   
     
     
         2 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises glycol. 
     
     
         3 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the first material comprises ductile iron and the second material comprises steel, hardened steel, or a steel alloy. 
     
     
         4 . The pump of  claim 1 , further comprising self-lubricating bushings operably connected to the driver shaft and the driven shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The pump of  claim 1 , further comprising a bracket assembly disposed at an opposite end of the driver shaft and the driven shaft from the head assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The pump of  claim 5 , wherein the head assembly and the bracket assembly comprise a hardened surface layer, the hardened surface layer being rated to 350° F. and resistant to thermal shock. 
     
     
         7 . The pump of  claim 6 , wherein the hardened surface comprises a surface hardened by a dense chromium process. 
     
     
         8 . The pump of  claim 1 , comprising a thermal shock plate disposed adjacent the internal pump chamber that allows the internal pump chamber to expand and contract to mitigate thermal shock at startup, the thermal shock plate being rated to 350° F. and resistant to thermal shock. 
     
     
         9 . The pump of  claim 1 , comprising a clearance between the end of the driver shaft and the head assembly, and between the end of the driven shaft and the head assembly, each respective clearance configured such that the end of the driver shaft and the head assembly and the end of the driven shaft and the head assembly are substantially sealed from leakage. 
     
     
         10 . A pump for pumping non-lubricating fluids, comprising:
 an internal pump chamber;   a driver shaft that provides rotational power to the pump;   a driven shaft that rotates as a result of the rotational power from the driver shaft;   a first external gear disposed on the driver shaft in the internal pump chamber;   a second external gear disposed on the driven shaft in the internal pump chamber, the first gear and the second gear being disposed in an intermeshing engagement that drives fluid through the internal pump chamber under the rotational power;   a head assembly disposed at an end of the first shaft and second shaft; and   a thermal shock plate disposed adjacent the internal pump chamber that allows the internal pump chamber to expand and contract to mitigate thermal shock at startup, the thermal shock plate being rated to 350° F. and resistant to thermal shock.   
     
     
         11 . The pump of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the internal pump chamber comprises a first material; and   the first external gear and the second external gear each comprise a second material, the first material being different than the second material, and the first material and the second material being rated to 350° F. and are resistant to thermal shock.   
     
     
         12 . The pump of  claim 11 , wherein the first material comprises ductile iron and the second material comprises steel, hardened steel, or a steel alloy. 
     
     
         13 . The pump of  claim 11 , further comprising a bracket assembly disposed at an opposite end of the first shaft and the second shaft from the head assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The pump of  claim 13 , wherein the head assembly and the bracket assembly comprise a hardened surface layer, the hardened surface layer being rated to 350° F. and resistant to thermal shock. 
     
     
         15 . A pump for pumping non-lubricating fluids, comprising:
 an internal pump chamber;   a driver shaft that provides rotational power to the pump;   a driven shaft that rotates as a result of the rotational power from the driver shaft;   a first external gear disposed on the driver shaft in the internal pump chamber;   a second external gear disposed on the driven shaft in the internal pump chamber, the first gear and the second gear being disposed in an intermeshing engagement that drives fluid through the internal pump chamber under the rotational power;   a head assembly disposed at an end of the first shaft and second shaft; and   an area of additional clearance between the end of the driver shaft and the head assembly, and between the end of the driven shaft and the head assembly configured such that the additional clearance absorbs thermal shock at startup of the pump.   
     
     
         16 . The pump of  claim 15 , further comprising a bracket assembly disposed at an opposite end of the first shaft and the second shaft from the head assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The pump of  claim 16 , wherein the head assembly and the bracket assembly comprise a hardened surface layer, the hardened surface layer being rated to 350° F. and resistant to thermal shock. 
     
     
         18 . The pump of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the internal pump chamber comprises a first material; and   the first external gear and the second external gear each comprise a second material, the first material being different than the second material, and the first material and the second material are rated to 350° F. and are resistant to thermal shock.   
     
     
         19 . The pump of  claim 18 , wherein the first material comprises ductile iron and the second material comprises steel, hardened steel, or a steel alloy. 
     
     
         20 . The pump of  claim 15 , further comprising a thermal shock plate disposed adjacent the internal pump chamber that allows the internal pump chamber to expand and contract to mitigate thermal shock at startup, the thermal shock plate being rated to 350° F. and resistant to thermal shock.