08/25/2015
Transneft Continuously Relies on Voith Variable-Speed Fluid Couplings for the Extension of ESPO Pipeline
It is a major project of the Russian pipeline operator Transneft, and a showcase project for Voith hydrodynamic variable-speed fluid couplings, which Transneft has again chosen for its operations in Russian Siberia. The pipeline operator is extending the throughput capacity of the Eastern Siberia Pacific Ocean Pipeline (ESPO Pipeline) and ads four additional pumping stations to the already existing ones. In all four stations, Voith variable-speed fluid couplings will control the pipeline pumps. Therefore, the company is to deliver a total of 17 hydrodynamic variable-speed fluid couplings to Transneft between January and December 2016. Sixteen of them will be installed directly; one coupling will be kept by the operator as reserve.
For use in mountainous terrain and under severe climatic conditions with hot summers and very cold winters, Transneft opted for the robust, reliable and extremely maintenance-friendly Voith solution. Even under such demanding conditions, Voith guarantees a working life of 50 years for its variable-speed fluid couplings. In addition to an oil change every five to ten years, only consumables, such as seals, need to be replaced.
The 715 SVL variable-speed fluid couplings that have been ordered transmit power of up to 6,350 kW at 3,000 rpm. Unlike electronic control applications, the couplings can be installed directly into potentially explosive atmospheres. They do not need their own building to be constructed or an additional gearbox with oil station either. For the operator, this means extensive potential savings on investment, as well as maintenance costs.
The ESPO pipeline stretches over a total distance of 4,740 kilometers from Taishet to the transition point of the Kozmino oil refinery at the Pacific east coast of the country. In 2009, the first section (Taishet to Skovorodino) was completed; the second, from Skovorodino to Kozmino followed in 2012. While the pumps in the pumping stations of the first section are controlled electronically, Transneft already relies on four Voith fluid couplings in each of nine pumping stations in the second section.
Along with their own experience, the operator was impressed by the Voith technology in similar components in Western Europe, amongst others in the Paris area. Installed in an open plant, the couplings there have now been in use since 1968, with no unplanned shutdowns or downtime.
Voith Turbo, a Group Division of Voith GmbH, is a specialist for intelligent drive solutions and systems. Customers from highly diverse industries such as oil and gas, energy, mining and metal processing, mechanical engineering, ship technology, rail and commercial vehicles rely on advanced technologies from Voith Turbo.
Voith sets the standards in the markets energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials, and transportation & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith employs more than 39,000 people, generates €5.3 billion in sales, operates in about 50 countries around the world and is today one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe.
The 715 SVL variable-speed fluid couplings that have been ordered transmit power of up to 6,350 kW at 3,000 rpm. Unlike electronic control applications, the couplings can be installed directly into potentially explosive atmospheres. They do not need their own building to be constructed or an additional gearbox with oil station either. For the operator, this means extensive potential savings on investment, as well as maintenance costs.
The ESPO pipeline stretches over a total distance of 4,740 kilometers from Taishet to the transition point of the Kozmino oil refinery at the Pacific east coast of the country. In 2009, the first section (Taishet to Skovorodino) was completed; the second, from Skovorodino to Kozmino followed in 2012. While the pumps in the pumping stations of the first section are controlled electronically, Transneft already relies on four Voith fluid couplings in each of nine pumping stations in the second section.
Along with their own experience, the operator was impressed by the Voith technology in similar components in Western Europe, amongst others in the Paris area. Installed in an open plant, the couplings there have now been in use since 1968, with no unplanned shutdowns or downtime.
Voith Turbo, a Group Division of Voith GmbH, is a specialist for intelligent drive solutions and systems. Customers from highly diverse industries such as oil and gas, energy, mining and metal processing, mechanical engineering, ship technology, rail and commercial vehicles rely on advanced technologies from Voith Turbo.
Voith sets the standards in the markets energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials, and transportation & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith employs more than 39,000 people, generates €5.3 billion in sales, operates in about 50 countries around the world and is today one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe.