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Reciprocating Rod Pumps

Sand Pump Design

Game Changer, Frac Pump, Hollow Tube, Mercury — 6 designs for sandy wells

API 11AX CertifiedISO 9001 · ISO 14001 · ISO 45001

Our sand pump designs combine advanced plunger technologies, wear-resistant coatings, and innovative valve systems to efficiently produce fluids containing frac sand, formation sand, iron sulfide, gyp, scale and other solids.

ELSI specialty sand pump designs combine advanced plunger technologies, wear-resistant coatings, and innovative valve systems to move frac sand, formation sand, iron sulfide, gyp, scale and other solids that disable conventional pumps. From the Game Changer vented plunger to Frac Pump U-cup seals and Mercury travelling-barrel designs, we have a solution for every sandy well condition.

Available models

6 specialty designs

Bore sizes

1-1/4" through 2-3/4"

Sand handling

Frac, formation, iron sulfide

Technologies

Vented plunger, U-cup, hollow tube, mercury barrel

Specifications

Game Changer sizes1-1/4", 1-1/2", 1-3/4", 2", 2-1/4", 2-1/2"
Frac Pump sizes1-1/4", 1-1/2", 1-3/4", 2"
Hollow Tube sizes1-1/2", 1-3/4"
RH Mercury sizes1-1/4", 1-1/2", 1-3/4"
TH Mercury sizes1-3/4", 2-1/4", 2-3/4"
Product Range

Available models.

Select a model below to explore specifications, advantages, available sizes, and the full component line-up.

6models in this series
Gam

Game Changer

Game Changer Pump — for sandy wells with low fluid level

ELSI Game Changer Pump is excellent for sandy wells with low fluid level and was designed to move foreign material such as frac and formation sand, iron sulfide, gyp or scale that would otherwise disable conventional pumps. The Game Changer Vented Pin Plunger is designed to clear solids away from the sprayed leading edge of the plunger by introducing fluids just above the upper spray metal end. The stationary barrel, bottom anchor pump is the first option to consider for deep well applications.

Bore sizes:1-1/4"1-1/2"1-3/4"2"2-1/4"2-1/2"

Key Features

From 2' through 5' plunger length
Both pin ends factory installed Monel with wrench flats
Hold-down type: API cups or API mechanical
Multi-directional intake and outflow vents clean solids from the upper leading edge on up and downstroke
Top Sliding Valve (TSV) blocks sand access inside the pump on downstroke and during shut-down
Bottom Discharge Valve (BDV) discharges fluid into tubing–barrel annulus on downstroke, keeping fluid and particulates in motion

Advantages

  • Prevents stuck pumps in sandy wells

    Vented plunger creates a fluid swirl between the pin shoulder and recessed vents, flushing solids away on every stroke.

  • Top Sliding Valve protection

    Blocks sand access during downstroke and intermittent shut-down, preventing sand settling on top of plunger.

  • Bottom Discharge Valve

    Keeps annular fluid in motion, preventing corrosive attack from stagnant fluid and keeping the hold-down free of debris.

  • Deep well capability

    Bottom anchor design with balanced hydrostatic pressure on barrel, no tensile loading or barrel burst risk.

Fra

Frac Pump

Frac Pump — superior pumping for solid-laden fluids

ELSI Frac Pump provides a superior pumping system for efficient production of solid laden fluids. The pumping system combines an improved pump design for enhanced efficiency and a unique combination of wear resistant technologies to increase run life with produced solids. The plunger design incorporates U-cup polymer seals to create a virtual seal between plunger and barrel, preventing particles from entering and minimizing wear while increasing pump efficiency by reducing slippage.

Bore sizes:1-1/4"1-1/2"1-3/4"2"

Key Features

Chrome I.D. barrels
Frac plunger plain or grooved, spray metal coated with Nickel or Tungsten Carbide
U-cup seal grooves machined into Monel pins for improved corrosion resistance
Titanium Carbide balls & Tungsten Carbide seats
Top plunger adapter optional to direct solid particles inside the plunger
Top Sliding Valve blocks sand access in the space below
4-piece cage with insert

Advantages

  • Handles all solids

    Designed for frac sand, formation sand, iron sulfide and formation fines.

  • Extended pump run life

    Wear-resistant coatings and U-cup seals dramatically extend operating life in abrasive conditions.

  • Improved pump efficiency

    U-cup polymer seals create a virtual seal reducing slippage between plunger and barrel.

  • Configurable for well conditions

    Material flexibility and configuration options to match specific well environments.

Hol

Hollow Tube

Hollow Tube Insert Pump — heavy wall barrel, pull tube design

Hollow tube insert pump is a precision, insert pull tube type with an API B12 heavy wall barrel and a cup bottom anchor (hold-down). The API B12 heavy wall barrel has a wall thickness of 0.250 inches, is externally threaded and has an inside diameter tolerance of +0.002 / -0.000 inches. The pump uses a hollow tube or pull tube in place of a valve rod, avoiding issues like flexing that can damage rod and plunger components.

Barrel:API B12 heavy wall barrel, 0.250" wall thickness, externally threaded
Bore sizes:1-1/2"1-3/4"
Designations:Hollow Tube (cup) (cup) · — (mechanical)

Key Features

Hollow tube replaces conventional valve rod
API B12 heavy wall barrel, 0.250" wall thickness
Cup bottom anchor hold-down
Fluid flows through hollow tube and upper coupling
Upper ball and seat provides two-stage effect

Advantages

  • Recommended for deep wells

    Balanced pressure on barrel OD and ID mitigates tensile loading and barrel burst risk.

  • Recommended for low fluid levels

    Fluid only needs to pass through standing valve to enter producing chamber.

  • Recommended for scale or gypsum

    Plunger strokes fully through barrel, preventing scale/gyp buildup.

  • No tubing erosion

    Fluid flows through hollow tube and upper coupling, preventing damage to tubing string. Allows moderate sand content handling.

  • Two-stage effect

    Upper ball and seat allows traveling valve to open sooner on downstroke. Fluid and gas compressed on upstroke for better performance.

Hol

Hollow Tube Frac

Hollow Tube Frac Pump — for solid-laden fluids with pull tube design

Hollow Tube Frac pump provides a superior pumping system for efficient production of solid laden fluids. Capable of handling frac sand, formation sand, and formation fines. The pump is very similar to the RHB heavy wall barrel pump except it has a hollow tube or pull tube in place of a valve rod, providing a more rigid design required in deep wells or fluid pounding applications.

Barrel:API B12 heavy wall barrel, 0.250" wall thickness, externally threaded
Bore sizes:1-1/2"1-3/4"
Designations:— (cup) · Hollow Tube Frac (mech) (mechanical)

Key Features

Hollow tube replaces conventional valve rod for rigid design
Frac plunger manufactured with plain or grooved outside surface
Grooves prevent scoring barrel and plunger by trapping sand
U-cup seal grooves available in 1, 2 and 3 grooves at each end of plunger
Mechanical bottom anchor hold-down
Pumped fluid with solids directed through long plunger and top traveling valve above pump

Advantages

  • Handles all solids

    Frac sand, formation sand, iron sulfide and formation fines.

  • Improved pump efficiency

    U-cup seals and grooved plunger design reduce slippage and scoring.

  • Extended pump run life

    Wear-resistant plunger coatings and sand-trapping grooves extend run life.

  • Deep well / fluid pound capable

    Rigid hollow tube design suitable for deep wells and fluid pounding applications.

  • Two-stage effect

    Fluid ported through hollow tube with upper ball and seat for improved gas handling.

RH

RH Mercury

RH Mercury Pump — Traveling barrel for abrasive & gaseous wells

ELSI RH Mercury Pump is a travelling-barrel pump designed for use in wells where abrasive and gaseous fluids are produced. The Mercury pump utilizes a shorter, traveling, heavy wall barrel and a barrel jacket, plus a long plunger for stronger construction. The pump prevents sand or foreign material from settling on top or around the plunger because the long smooth plunger extends through a short barrel — wiped clean on each stroke. A lower standing valve (Foot Valve) maintains fluid loading, minimizing the distance fluid travels from wellbore into the pump.

Bore sizes:1-1/4"1-1/2"1-3/4"
Designations:RH Mercury (cup) (cup) · RH Mercury (mech) (mechanical)

Key Features

API cups or API mechanical hold-down
Available in corrosion resistant materials
Long plunger constantly out of upper sealing barrel
Ball knocker / ball lifting device for gas venting
Lower Foot Valve for maintained fluid loading
Traveling valve at top acts as check valve during shut-down

Advantages

  • Prevents stuck pumps

    Long plunger extends through short barrel — plunger wiped clean on each stroke, foreign material not carried into barrel.

  • Moves solids-laden fluids

    Fluids with solids that would collect above plunger are not allowed to settle back into pump on downstroke.

  • Increased run times

    Reduced interventions and loss of efficiency due to anti-sand, anti-stuck design.

  • Reduces peak polish rod load

    Allows increased production due to gain in net plunger stroke.

  • Anti-gas-lock device

    Ball knocker physically lifts traveling valve ball off seat at bottom of downstroke, allowing compressed gas to escape.

TH

TH Mercury

TH Mercury Pump — Long plunger for high-volume solids handling

ELSI TH Mercury Pump is designed for higher fluid volumes with solids — excellent for prevention of stuck pumps. The long plunger is constantly out of the upper sealing barrel. Fluids laden with solids that would normally collect above the upper leading edge of the plunger are not allowed to settle back into the pump on the downstroke. Recommended to balance the pumping unit rod-heavy so the plunger starts upstroke from lowest position, putting settled solids in suspension.

Bore sizes:1-3/4"2-1/4"2-3/4"
Designations:— (cup) · TH Mercury (mech) (mechanical)

Key Features

API mechanical hold-down
B13 barrel, heavy wall and long jacket
Oversized pump bores available
Long plunger constantly out of lower sealing barrel

Advantages

  • High fluid volume with solids

    Moves larger volumes while handling abrasive particulates effectively.

  • Prevents stuck pumps

    Long plunger stays out of sealing barrel — solids cannot accumulate and lock plunger.

  • Increased run times

    Reduced interventions and efficiency loss compared to conventional pumps in sandy wells.

  • Reduces peak polished rod load

    Allows increased production due to gain in net plunger stroke.

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Need Help Selecting a Pump?

Our engineering team can recommend the right pump configuration for your well conditions.

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