Polymer make-down unit with flushing feature

Abstract

A polymer make-down system comprising: a mixing pump; a water source for providing a first quantity of water to piping at a suction end of the mixing pump; and a polymer source for providing a first quantity of polymer to piping at the suction end of the mixing pump; wherein the system is configured such that, after the first quantities of water and polymer have been mixed, a second quantity of water is provided so as to flush the mixture of the first quantities of water and polymer from the system. In another embodiment, the system further comprises a polymer check valve between the polymer source and the suction end of the mixing pump, wherein the polymer check valve is configured to prevent a flow of water to the polymer source. In another embodiment, the system further comprises recirculation piping coupled to piping at a discharge end of the mixing pump and to piping at an outlet end of the polymer check valve, wherein the recirculation piping is configured to be flushed by the second quantity of water. In accordance with still another embodiment, the water source further comprises a water buffer tank configured to gravity feed the first and second quantities of water into the system. In still another embodiment, the system further comprises a check valve at the discharge end of the system so as to prevent a backflow of liquid into the system.