Development of centrifugal pumps: from simplest designs to use in oil pipeline systems

Centrifugal pumps are the main equipment in the system of main pipeline transportation of oil and oil products. The history of the development of pumps is a journey of several millennia, from the simplest household designs to modern highly-efficient equipment for industrial needs. At the same time, the tasks of modernizing pumping equipment are critical: improving the design and manufacturing technology, and increasing energy efficiency. The authors reviewed the history of the emergence and development of centrifugal pumps, noted the contribution of scientists and engineers in this field. The experience of using various types of pumps in the domestic system of main pipeline transportation of oil and oil products is presented, the shortcomings and reasons for the decrease in the efficiency of pumping units supplied to Russia by foreign manufacturers are indicated. A comparative analysis of the main line pumps of the world's leading companies is carried out. It was noted that by now mass production of high-specification pumps has been implemented in our country, which made it possible to exclude foreign purchases of the main pumping equipment, fully ensuring the operation of the domestic system of main oil and oil product pipelines.