Method for Operating a Multi-phase Pump and Apparatus Therefor

An apparatus for pumping a multi-phase mixture charged with solids by means of a multiphase pump, comprising:

• a suction side inlet;
• a discharge-side outlet;
• with a pressure-side separation chamber in which a liquid phase is separated from a gaseous phase;
• a recirculation line through which the separated liquid phase is supplied to the suction side;
• at least one settling chamber disposed within the pressure-side separation chamber in which a solid phase is separated from the liquid phase and a reservoir separated from the settling chamber is formed for the liquid phase separated from solids;
• and
• a valve arranged in the recirculation line, wherein after startup and stable operation is achieved, the valve is closed for purposes of initiating a pumping action and an increase in pressure of the multi-phase mixture.