01/12/2009
1400 bar (20,000 psi) Range of Pumps

In response to requests from several customers, Hughes have increased the working pressure of four pumps from 1000 to 1400 bar (20,000 psi). This increased pressure level has proved beneficial in several water jetting applications where the increased waterjet velocity increases cutting efficiency while the corresponding reduction in flowrate reduces reaction force to more comfortable levels. One such application that benefits from both is hydro-demolition / concrete cutting.

The four pumps benefiting from this enhanced performance are:

HPS1000 (28 lpm at 1400 bar), HPS2200 (36 to 53 lpm at 1400 bar), HPS3000 (74 lpm at 1400 bar) and the HPS5000 (124 lpm at 1400 bar).

These pumps utilise the same flexible plunger attachment design from our Ultrabar UHP range of pumps for increased plunger seal life, tungsten carbide plungers, plunger seal cooling & a completely new modular valve design allowing access to individual assemblies for routine maintenance.

Conversion kits are also available for existing pumps.

Breaking concrete at 1400 bar

01/12/2009
Pressure Testing

We have extensive experience in pressure testing applications in a diverse range of industries at a broad range of pressure levels. To complement our range of pipeline testing pumps we have also packaged high volume, pre-fill centrifugal pumpsets operating at 20 bar. Others systems supplied include an 8 lpm at 1750 bar (25,000 psi) test rig to a specialist hose / umbilical manufacturer in Aberdeen, Scotland for the oil & gas industry.

In recent times several bespoke pressure testing / flushing systems have been supplied to oil & gas support companies for use aboard pipe lay support vessels (PLSV) which lay flexible flowlines to the seabed in upto 2000m depth. These systems use seawater with chemical additives to test pipelines at upto 517 bar (7,500 psi) whilst recording test pressure, flowrate & chemical dosing rate.

For the same client base we have also supplied flushing / hydrostatic systems, pumping glycol at 690 bar (10,000 psi) to flush / test umbilicals before connection to subsea control valves.

If you want to discuss pressure testing control valves / pump conversion kits for existing water jetting systems or turnkey bespoke systems contact Hughes Pumps.

Turnkey pressure testing system in use in Brazil on a Petrobras contract

01/12/2009
New Range of Pneumatic Regulating Valves

This new range of valves eliminates the need for additional valve brackets & HP link hoses making for a neat, compact installation & also makes life easier for end users who purchase bareshaft pumps. The range will eventually be available for all pressure / flow combinations.

The valve body is manufactured in stainless steel & uses a hardened valve stem & seat, both of which are reversible to halve running costs & is attached to the pumphead with four capscrews, sealing on a simple face seal. Maintenance is extremely easy due to the simple design.

Pneumatic regulating valve mounted to HPS3000 pump

To complement the valves the company has designed a stainless steel control panel which consists only of pneumatic controls (no electrics) which gives maintenance free operation & is suitable for use in hazardous areas. Tests have shown the pneumatic signals are very responsive, even with the control panel mounted up to 15m away from the regulating valve.

Although one main feature is the flange mounting arrangement, the valves can also be supplied with adaptors enabling them to be sold as a loose assembly for use on any pump system.

Stainless steel pneumatic control panel