PUMP PULSATION DAMPENERS

Abstract

A pump for pumping mud or slurry includes: a pump housing (5) with a working chamber (2,4) connected to a fluid inlet (6) and a fluid outlet (6,13), a reciprocating pumping element (1), an accumulator (39,44) fluidly connected to the working chamber (2,4) via a damping conduit (37), a controlled valve (48,49,50,53) arranged in the damping conduit (37). Methods for damping pressure fluctuations in the pump are also provided, including: operating the pump to pump mud or slurry; providing one or more accumulators (39,44) fluidly connected to the working chamber (2,4) of the pump; operating the controlled valves (48,49,50,53) to selectively connect and disconnect one or more accumulators (39,44) to and from the working chamber (2,4), and damping pressure fluctuations in the working chamber (2,4) that have a frequency higher than the reciprocating speed of the pump.