Flowserve Corporation

Flowserve Corporation: A Global Leader in Fluid Motion Control

 

Flowserve Corporation History

Flowserve Corporation was founded in 1997 through the merger of two historic firms: Durco International (originally founded in 1912) and BW/IP, Inc. However, Flowserve’s roots go even deeper, tracing back over 200 years through various acquisitions such as Worthington, Byron Jackson, and IDP (Ingersoll-Dresser Pumps).

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Flowserve has become a leading manufacturer and aftermarket service provider of flow control systems, serving industries like oil & gas, power generation, water, chemical, and pharmaceuticals. As of 2024, Flowserve operates in more than 55 countries and employs over 15,000 people worldwide.

 

Flowserve Corporation Products

Flowserve’s portfolio is organized into three primary product lines:

A. Pumps

Flowserve manufactures a wide array of industrial pumps designed for diverse applications ranging from oil & gas and power generation to chemical processing and water management.

Key Standards:

• API 610 (Petroleum, petrochemical, and natural gas industries)
• ISO 13709 (Centrifugal pumps for petroleum industries)
• ASME B73.1 (Chemical process pumps)

 

Common Materials:

• Cast iron, carbon steel, stainless steel, duplex and super duplex alloys, titanium, Hastelloy, Inconel

 

Pump Configurations:

• Overhung (OH), Between Bearings (BB), and Vertically Suspended (VS) types
• Multistage horizontal/vertical for high-head services

 

Performance Parameters:

• Flow Capacity: Up to 50,000 GPM (11,356 m³/h)
• Head: Up to 5,000 feet (1,524 meters)
• Pressure Range: Up to 5,000 psi (345 bar)
• Temperature Range: –100°C to 450°C (–148°F to 842°F)

 

Notable Series and Models:

Mark 3™ ANSI Process Pump:

• ASME B73.1 compliant
• Available in over 200 hydraulic sizes
• Back pull-out design for easy maintenance
• Chemically resistant materials

 

HED / HEDP / HDE (High-Energy Pumps):

• Designed for high-pressure boiler feed and nuclear applications
• Multistage designs
• Available in barrel and ring section configurations

 

DMX/DMR:

• API 610 BB3 multistage pumps
• Used for pipeline, injection, and refinery services

 

Vertical Pumps (VTP, VPC):

• VS1, VS4, and VS6 designs
• Used in water intake, fire protection, cooling water, and crude oil handling

 

Applications: Power plants, chemical plants, water treatment, oil pipelines, desalination plants, LNG terminals.

 

B. Valves

Flowserve’s valve offerings are built to handle a wide spectrum of pressure, flow, and media requirements, from simple shutoff to precision throttling in critical services.

 

Brand Portfolio:

• Valtek™ (control valves)
• Worcester™ (ball valves)
• Automax™ (actuators)
• Nordstrom™ (pipeline valves)
• McCanna™, Kammer™, Serck Audco™, Edward™, Anchor/Darling™

 

Valve Types and Functions:

• Control valves: Globe, angle, eccentric plug
• Isolation valves: Ball, gate, butterfly, and plug
• Safety relief valves and pressure regulators
• Manual, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric actuation

 

Technical Specs:

• Sizes: ½" to 60" (DN 15 to DN 1500)
• Pressure Ratings: Class 150 – 4500 (PN 10 – PN 640)
• Temperature Range: –196°C to 600°C
• Materials: Carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy 20, Monel, Inconel, Hastelloy

 

Key Features:

• Low-fugitive emission stem seals (ISO 15848-1)
• SIL 3 capable designs for safety systems
• Integrated smart positioners (e.g., Valtek Logix™ 3800)
• Options for noise and cavitation control (MegaStream™ and Stealth™ trims)
• Cryogenic services and fire-safe certified (per API 607)

 

Signature Models:

Valtek MaxFlo 4™:

• Rotary eccentric plug valve
• Suitable for slurry, high-pressure drops, or flashing media

 

Valtek Mark One™:

• Globe-style control valve
• Used in steam conditioning, chemical injection, gas pressure control

 

Worcester 3-piece Ball Valve:

• Compact design for easy maintenance
• Options for fire-safe and high-purity services

 

Kammer Cryogenic Control Valves:

• Designed for liquefied gases and LNG
• Extended bonnet design for insulation

 

Applications: Refineries, chemical reactors, power boilers, gas transmission, cryogenics, and pipeline control.

 

C. Mechanical Seals

Flowserve’s seals are engineered to reduce leakage, increase equipment uptime, and perform reliably in aggressive media or high-load applications.

 

Compliance:

• API 682 (Seal categories for petroleum services)
• ISO 21049 (Mechanical seal standard)

 

Seal Configurations:

• Cartridge seals (single, double, tandem)
• Pusher and non-pusher types
• Dry-running and gas-lubricated seals (for compressors and agitators)
• Split seals (for ease of installation)

 

Performance Specs:

• Pressure: Up to 200 bar (2900 psi)
• Temperature: –200°C to 400°C
• Shaft Speed: Up to 50 m/s
• Leakage Rate: Within API-682 tolerances for hazardous media

 

Seal Face Materials:

• Silicon carbide, carbon graphite, tungsten carbide, PTFE
• Hardened metal coatings for abrasive fluids

 

Seal Support Systems:

• API Plan 11, 32, 53A/B/C, and custom systems
• Includes seal pots, coolers, filters, and thermocouples

 

Signature Models:

Flowserve ISC2 Series:

• Standardized cartridge seals for ANSI/ISO/API pumps
• Available in single, dual unpressurized, and dual pressurized forms

 

Flowserve Durametallic® and Pac-Seal® lines:

• Mechanical seals for OEM and aftermarket support
• Popular in chemical, food & beverage, and pharmaceutical processing

 

GASPAC™ Dry Gas Seal:

• For high-speed compressors
• Non-contacting, low energy consumption

 

Applications: Centrifugal pumps, agitators, turbines, mixers, compressors, and blowers in the oil & gas, food, mining, pulp & paper, and chemical sectors.

 

Pros and Cons of Flowserve Products

Pros

• Broad Product Range: Comprehensive solutions for flow control, sealing, and pumping.
• Engineered for Harsh Environments: Designed to handle corrosive, high-temperature, and high-pressure media.
• Global Service Network: QRCs worldwide offer rapid repair, retrofitting, and spare parts.
• Compliance and Certification: Meets API, ISO, and ASME standards across industries.
• Digital Solutions: Includes Flowserve’s RedRaven™ platform for remote monitoring and predictive maintenance.

 

Cons

• High Capital Cost: Premium materials and precision engineering can make initial costs high.
• Complex Configuration: Products like multistage pumps and control valves may require expert commissioning.
• Lead Time: Custom-engineered solutions may have longer delivery schedules.

 

Flowserve Corporation Competitors

Flowserve competes with other multinational firms in flow control and fluid handling:

 

Competitor	Focus Area
Emerson Electric Co.	Control valves, actuators, instrumentation
ITT Inc. (Goulds Pumps)	Industrial and chemical pumps
KSB SE & Co. KGaA	Pumps and valves for water, power
Sulzer Ltd.	Specialized in pumping and separation
Crane Co.	Engineered valves and sealing systems
Ebara Corporation	Centrifugal and vertical pumps

 

Conclusion

Flowserve Corporation stands as one of the most established and diversified players in the fluid motion and control industry. With a global footprint and a commitment to engineering excellence, Flowserve delivers solutions that ensure reliability, safety, and efficiency in mission-critical operations. While their products may carry higher upfront costs and require technical expertise, they often deliver superior performance and lifecycle value. Their comprehensive offerings—from precision-engineered pumps to advanced control valves and mechanical seals—make Flowserve a trusted partner in sectors where downtime is not an option.