Controlling starting and stopping pump surges with microprocessor based starter

Not only are line surges and the fluid hammer effect present when starting pump motors, but in many instances they are also present when stopping these motors. In those cases when normal check valves cannot be used, special hydraulic valves have been used to eliminate these stopping surges. Solid-state reduced-voltage starters have proven helpful in reducing starting surges in certain applications. A solution to stopping the surge and fluid hammer problem can be implemented with normal check valves and solid-state starters using microprocessor-based reduced-voltage starters. A review is presented of application considerations and requirements for applying these specialized motor controllers for eliminating surges on starting and stopping pumps in the petroleum and chemical industry