Fluid pound poses a recurring challenge in pump operations, disrupting system efficiency by causing potential damage to pump components. Real-world conditions often lead to the pump filling partially with gas during the plunger's downward motion, deviating from the standard operation.
During standard pump operation, as the plunger descends, it compresses non-compressible fluid, generating pressure within the closed chamber, which opens the traveling valve. However, real-world conditions often deviate from this norm, leading to fluid pound, a situation where the pump fills partially with gas rather than liquid.
In a fluid pound scenario, abrupt halts during the plunger's descent create destructive forces known as transients, leading to steel traveling valve ball damage, ball cage breakage, and "rod shock." These transients, occurring until a component breaks, contribute to increased maintenance costs and the need for continuous monitoring. However, surface tension must be overcome before you can address these forces. It’s not a simple as adding centralizers to the rod connections above pump.
The DARTT Valve addresses fluid pound by ensuring the traveling valve opens at the start of each downward stroke and remains open throughout the descent. Utilizing hydraulic principles to maintain valve openness, it eliminates fluid pound, reducing stress on components, extending pump life, and minimizing failures in rods, tubing, and gearboxes. Additionally, the DARTT Valve eliminates the need for practices like "tagging the pump," contributing to overall operational efficiency and cost reduction. This innovative solution is essential for effectively tackling gas-related challenges in pump operations, making it a crucial tool in today's pump operation landscape.
