Mud Pump:

The mud pumps used on the rig are triplex pump. Triplex pump have three pistons which are also called plungers. It is a reciprocating and positive displacement pump which delivers mud only in the forward stroke i.e. it is single acting. The intake of the mud pump is from the mud tanks. Prior to the entry of mud in mud pump there is centrifugal pump installed in the suction line, which increases the pressure of mud as well as provide proper amount of mud to the mud pump. Also there is a balloon present which remove any air which is entrapped in the mud. The mud from suction line then goes to the suction module. There is NRV in the suction module which opens when the piston is in the suction stroke and close when the piston is discharging. Likewise NRV is also present in the discharge module which open when the piston is discharging and close when it is taking mud from the suction module. The piston intakes fluid from the suction module and discharge it through discharge module. For each piston there is separate chamber. There is pulsation dampener, pop off valve and bleed valve installed on discharge line. Pulsation dampener is used to smooth the pressure surges and output of the pump as well as eliminate vibration of standpipe. Pop off valve to automatically release the pressure pump pressure if it increases beyond the safety limit. Normally is set around 70 to 80 percent of the pump pressure output. Bleed valve is installed to bleed to pressure of pump when required. The piston is lined on its circumference and back side with rubber to reduce friction and prevent damage to piston and liner from metal to metal contact as well as forms a seal between the liner and piston. The motion of piston generates heat which can damage the rubber, hence can damage the liner and piston and can prevent an effective thus reducing pump efficiency. Therefore there is a water cooling line present to cool the piston. A layout of Mud pump is given on next page.

Mud Pump Layout

Legends: Mud pump Suction Line Mud Pump Discharge Line Water Cooling Line Centrifugal pump Pulsation Dampener Pop off or Pressure Relief Valve Bleed off valve Balloon

To Standpipe Manifold

From Water Line

To Mud Tanks From Mud Tanks Mud Pump facts: Type: F-1600 (BOMCO) Power: 1600 HP, 1193 KW Capacity: 100 US Gallons, 378 Liters Maximum SPM: 120 Stroke Length: 12 in Liner diameter: 5 in Output: 0.854 bbl/stk, 13.6 Liter/stk, 3.597 Gal/stk, 0.0136 m3/stk Maximum pressure at Liner diameter of 5 : 5075 psi