Problem No. 19: High pressure pumps – which is better reciprocating or centrifugal?
In every urea plant, high-pressure pumps are used to pump the feedstock ammonia and carbon dioxide to the high-pressure synthesis section and in most urea plants carbamate liquid is recycled from the recirculation section to the synthesis section. This discussion compares the advantages and disadvantages of reciprocating and centrifugal pumps based on operating experiences in the industry.