Abstract: A pulsation control device is constructed at least partially of a composite carbon (and/or other fibers)/epoxy exostructure having an oblong cylindrical or spheroidal shape, optionally with metallic portions or reinforcements, together with a non-metallic polymer non-load sharing liner. A pressure drop tube preferably extends from an opening through an exterior wall of the body into an interior space within the body.

Abstract: Different inner diameter internal or external pressure drop tubes or orifice plate openings producing different discharge pressure pulse amplitudes are employed in a pump pulsation control reactive discharge dampener. Either both pressure drop tubes/orifice plates may be mounted concurrently on or in the dampener, connected to different discharge pipes used selectively by the operator depending upon the piston or plunger size being employed, or the pressure drop tubes/orifice plates may be interchangeable.

Abstract: Performance parameters for a reciprocating pump including pulsation energy, temperature energy, solids, Miller number and chemical energy and the like are monitored and employed to at least periodically compute a total energy number over the operating life of the pump. The current computed value is compared to a predictive failure value empirically determined for the respective pump design, to determine when failure is likely to be imminent. Scheduling of maintenance with other pumping operations and objective rating of competing designs is possible based on the total energy number.