TECHNOLOGY FROM EUROPE

Pump design for reduced noise

The need to decrease noise to minimize impact on personnel and the environment has been a constant issue. In this regard, noise is an important factor in designing mud pumps. Operating under full load, mud pumps often do not meet maximum allowable-noise specifications for personnel of 85 dBA. Mud pumps with crank mechanisms have not had their design physics changed in many years and, therefore, the need to boost installed power has resulted in a commensurate increase in noise level. The only way to combat this problem is to re-design the pump.

For the Snorre B project in the North Sea, WIRTH supplied three, 2,200-hp mud pumps to Kvaerner Oil and Gas AS together with Aker Marine. They were designed with single, top-mounted AC motors and were water cooled to reduce noise. The single-motor design results in lower expense, weight and noise than two-motor designs.

Redesigned pump with top-mounted AC motor.

During full-load testing of the pumps, noise was measured by an independent specialist in compliance with ISO specifications for sound-intensity measurement. The result was 84 dBA and is equivalent to field conditions, although it is likely that noise will be further reduced when mud is pumped instead of water.