Precautions for Daily Operation of Loading Arm Submersible Pump
Precautions
When using the loading arm installation, the loading arm system must be equipotentially bonded to the tank truck with a grounding clamp before operation.
Before the submersible pump body enters or exits the tank, the main power switch on the control box must be turned off.
When moving the loading arm, the operator must handle it gently to prevent the loading arm and submersible pump from colliding with other rigid components.
When moving the loading arm, the operator is strictly prohibited from pulling or colliding with the stainless steel explosion-proof hose or stainless steel hard threading on the submersible pump.
When the submersible pump is running, it is strictly forbidden to cover the explosion-proof control box with debris, and good ventilation and heat dissipation must be ensured.
After each inspection or maintenance of the explosion-proof control box, all bolts on the box door must be installed and tightened.
Preparation Before Startup
A. Room-temperature liquid media such as refined oil
Check and confirm that the installation of the submersible pump body and the liquid delivery pipeline is firm, and that the wiring system is installed firmly, correctly, and without damage. Do not start the submersible pump if there is any abnormality.
Open the vent valve on the top of the loading arm, slowly lower the submersible pump together with the vertical pipe into the tank, ensure that the submersible pump stays at the bottom of the tank and the medium level is higher than the working level of the submersible pump, then close the vent valve.
B. Petrochemical media with crystallization properties
Check and confirm that the installation of the submersible pump body and the liquid delivery pipeline is firm, and that the wiring system is installed firmly, correctly, and without damage. Do not start the submersible pump if there is any abnormality.
Open the vent valve on the top of the loading arm, slowly lower the submersible pump together with the vertical pipe into the tank, ensure that the submersible pump stays at the bottom of the tank and the medium level is higher than the working level of the submersible pump, then close the vent valve.
Slowly lower the submersible pump body together with the vertical pipe into the tank and immerse it in the medium, ensuring that the medium level in the tank is higher than the minimum level specified for the submersible pump.
If the ambient temperature is lower than the crystallization temperature of the medium (e.g., PX), the medium (e.g., PX) must be heated until the crystals are completely melted before slowly lowering the submersible pump body together with the vertical pipe into the tank and immersing it in the medium. The pump can be started only after soaking for 20 minutes. Otherwise, the crystalline substances of the medium (e.g., PX) will damage the mechanical seal of the pump body.
Startup and Operation
Manual jog operation of the submersible pump: Manual jog operation is mainly to confirm the rotation direction of the submersible pump. To prevent damage to the mechanical seal of the submersible pump due to dry friction, the manual jog operation time should be as short as possible, with a maximum of 20 seconds.
Manual startup and shutdown: Close the main power switch, press the run button, and the submersible pump starts working. Press the stop button, and the submersible pump stops working.
Frequent startup should be avoided during use; there must be an interval of at least 2 minutes between stopping and restarting the pump.
When the liquid level is lower than the working level of the submersible pump, the pump should be stopped in time. The pump can automatically detect when the liquid level is lower than the working level, reduce the working current, and stop after a 20-second delay. This function is only for protection and should not be used for normal shutdown.
After unloading is completed, open the vent valve on the top of the loading arm. After the liquid medium in the loading arm has completely (returned), turn the main power switch to the off position to cut off the power, then move the loading arm together with the submersible pump out to the platform. At this time, the submersible pump controller is completely powered off to prevent misoperation and damage to the control circuit board by induced lightning.
When maintaining the explosion-proof control box of the submersible pump, the cover must be opened after power is cut off.
Shutdown Inspection (for room-temperature liquid media such as refined oil)
Shut down and inspect immediately if any of the following occurs during operation:
Leakage in the liquid delivery pipeline of the submersible pump.
Abnormal liquid output, intermittent liquid output, or excessive solid impurities in the delivered medium.
Backflow caused by pressure build-up in the output pipeline of the submersible pump.
Impeller jamming of the submersible pump.
Obvious noise or increased vibration of the submersible pump.
Shutdown Inspection (for petrochemical media with crystallization properties)
Shut down and inspect immediately if any of the following occurs during operation:
Starting the submersible pump is prohibited when the medium is crystallized or not completely melted.
Leakage in the liquid delivery pipeline of the submersible pump.
Abnormal liquid output, intermittent liquid output, or excessive solid impurities in the delivered medium.
Backflow caused by pressure build-up in the output pipeline of the submersible pump.
Impeller jamming of the submersible pump.
Obvious noise or increased vibration of the submersible pump.
Inspection and Maintenance
Inspection and maintenance of the explosion-proof performance of the submersible pump must comply with the requirements of GB/T3836.16-2017 Explosive Atmospheres - Part 16: Inspection and Maintenance of Electrical Installations.
The submersible pump must be fully inspected once a month. Check whether all protections are accurate and reliable, whether the controller functions normally, whether all operation buttons and indicators are normal, whether the circuit nodes are normal, and whether the outlet pipe of the submersible pump is leaking.
Regularly check whether the liquid delivery pipeline is leaking, whether the mounting bolts and connecting pipe joints are loose, whether the explosion-proof flexible pipe is damaged, and whether the equipotential connection is effective and reliable.
After each inspection or maintenance of the explosion-proof control box, 204-1 anti-rust oil should be applied to the flameproof surface. Care should be taken to protect the flameproof surface, and damage to it is strictly prohibited.
Repair
Overhaul and repair of the explosion-proof performance of the submersible pump must comply with the requirements of GB3836.13-2013 Explosive Atmospheres - Part 13: Repair, Overhaul, Restoration and Modification of Equipment.
Maintenance of the submersible pump must be carried out by Hunan Sinuo Industrial Technology Co., Ltd. or units authorized by Sinuo Industrial.
Storage and Transportation
The submersible pump should be stored in a place free of chemical corrosion, at room temperature, cool, ventilated, and dry.
When transporting or handling the submersible pump, handle it gently to avoid dropping and collision, and prevent damage to the cable (led out) from the pump body.
For a newly taken-out submersible pump, the (accumulated liquid) in the cavity should be drained first, then rinsed clean, and the surface should be wiped dry.
Loading Arm Maintenance
Regularly apply sodium-based grease or lithium-based grease to the pins of the balance cylinder on the loading arm to keep them lubricated, and apply sodium-based grease or lithium-based grease to the connecting bolts on the loading arm to prevent rust.
Regularly check whether the connecting bolts on the loading arm are loose and tighten them in time if they are.
Regularly check whether all grounding wires on the loading arm are in good condition.
