Crude Oil Transfer Rotary Lobe Pumps

Define the Oil & Transfer Duty

Identify the crude grade or blend, source and destination, and whether the duty is bulk transfer or end-of-tank stripping. Oil composition and operating conditions vary; a warm running point alone may not describe a cold restart or the final stage of unloading.

Startup & running

Viscosity at the relevant temperatures. Provide viscosity with units and measurement temperature, the coldest expected start, and any wax or settling behavior after storage.

Composition & solids

Oil, water, gas, and sediment. Include water content, sand or other solids, H2S where present, additives, and any solvents or cleaning fluids that reach the pump.

Cold Starts, Drive Load & Pipeline Pressure

Use viscosity data across the expected temperature range to assess inlet filling, pump speed, and drive load. Where wax or settled material affects restart behavior, provide storage duration and the site’s startup or heating arrangements.

Review starting and running conditions separately when selecting the motor and reducer. Pipeline pressure depends on flow, fluid properties, pipe diameter and length, fittings, and elevation; use the actual layout rather than a general drive service factor.

Fluid Compatibility, Seals & Abrasive Wear

Review wetted metals, rotor coverings, seals, and O-rings against the actual oil blend, water phase, temperature, H2S exposure where present, and cleaning chemicals. Neither an elastomer family name nor a stainless-steel grade alone establishes suitability for the complete fluid.

For sand-bearing oil, provide particle size and concentration, including whether concentration is measured by mass or volume. Confirm replaceable wear components and inspection access for the proposed model; service life depends on the abrasive loading and operating conditions.

Stripping, Gas Exposure & Suction Conditions

As a tank empties, liquid levels and inlet conditions change, and gas or vapor may enter the suction. Provide pump elevation, source level range, pipe or hose layout, and any measured inlet pressure. Priming and gas handling must be reviewed for the selected configuration.

Assess bulk transfer and final stripping as separate operating conditions. Confirm seal support, allowable exposure to interrupted liquid supply, and shutdown criteria rather than assuming unrestricted dry running or a general self-priming height.

Site Requirements & Package Documentation

Provide the site’s area-classification, electrical, material, and documentation requirements for review of the complete proposed package. Required certificates and material records must be confirmed against the offered scope before ordering; a motor designation alone does not establish package suitability.