750-Bar Positive Displacement Pump for Confinement Management in Geosciences

To meet the requirements of a major energy sector client, IRIAN MECATRONICS designed and manufactured a set of three high-pressure positive displacement pumps. These custom-built systems are specifically developed to provide precise confinement management during laboratory experiments on reservoir fluids.

The laboratory required a system capable of reliably reproducing the high-pressure conditions found in geological reservoirs. The specifications demanded a precise and versatile solution to handle fluids under extreme constraints.

Precision and Safety Mechanism:
At the heart of the system is a servomotor coupled with a worm gear assembly and a roller screw drive. This design provides two major advantages: highly refined flow control through significant mechanical reduction, and a non-reversible mechanism that maintains reservoir pressure in the event of a power failure, ensuring the integrity of ongoing experiments.

Careful Material Selection:
Durability under high pressure and compatibility with laboratory fluids guided material choices:

• Pump Body: Martensitic stainless steel APX4 (1.4418) was selected for its unique combination of high mechanical strength and excellent corrosion resistance.

• Piston: A Cupro-Aluminium alloy (CuAl10Ni5Fe4) ensures superior wear resistance and low friction, extending system lifespan.

• Seals: FKM O-rings, recognized for their chemical and thermal resistance, complete the assembly.

Control and Integration:
Each pump is operated through a PC-based human-machine interface (HMI) connected via Ethernet. Communication protocols include Modbus (TCP, UDP), EtherCAT, and EtherNet/IP, offering full flexibility for integration into the client’s existing laboratory environment.