Which Type Of Pump Do I Need? – Process Pumps 1/2
Choosing the correct pump for your application can be overwhelming due to the sheer variety available… So we’ve decided to create a series of blogs to give you a summary of each pump type to make your decision easier!
This month we’re covering the different types of process pumps, there are so many we’ve had to split the blog into two parts. Keep an eye out for part 2 coming soon.
Centrifugal – End Suction Centrifugal Pump
End Suction Pumps are the most widely used pump in the world and are simple, effective and reliable. In a standard set up water enters the pump via a horizontal pipe, goes through the impeller and – using centrifugal force – is flung out a vertical discharge. End Suction Pumps are generally suited to transfer and high flow applications, however, pressure can be limited as they only have one impeller. End Suction Pumps are robust, reliable and generally efficient. Our centrifugal pumps saved Oracle 20% on energy use over their old belt drive pumps, see the full case study.
Applications: Centrifugal Pumps are typically used for recirculation pumps, cooling water pumps, water transfer pumps, washdown pumps, firefighting, general industrial pumps, high-temperature applications up to 350 degrees C.
Flexible Impeller
Flexible Impellers are economically priced pumps that are ideal for intermittent transfer applications in the food and beverage industry. Constructed from polished stainless steel with food grade impellers they are ideal for pumping jams, milk, creams and other general foodstuffs. You can learn more about the different types of impellers here (Link to impellers blog once it’s live).
Applications: Flexible impellers are typically used for winery transfer pumping, yoghurt pumping and fruit jam pumping.
Lobe Pumps
Lobe Pumps offer superb sanitary qualities, high efficiency, reliability, corrosion resistance, and good clean-in-place and sterilize-in-place (CIP/SIP) characteristics. Lobe pumps work similarly to external gear pumps, but unlike external gear pumps, the lobes are non-contacting. Lobe pumps also have large pumping chambers, which enable them to transfer slurries. Flow rates can reach up to 108m³/hr, pressures can reach up to 15bar and they have a temperature range of -40ºC to +140ºC. Lobe pumps are also easy to clean and maintain, it’s incredibly important that you maintain your pumps.
Applications: Lobe Pumps are typically used for pumping fruit purees, yoghurt pumping, cream pumping, dairy pumping and pumping tallow.
Peristaltic Pumps
Peristaltic Pumps have the simplest and most gentle pumping action of any pump. They are ideal for pumping shear sensitive products, can dose very accurately, they are unaffected by abrasion, can perform high suction lifts, dry run and pump pressures up to 16 bar.
Applications: Peristaltic Pumps are typically used for Lime Slurry Dosing/pumping, Sodium Hypochlorite dosing, Shear sensitive and product pumping, Metering and dosing.