Choosing the most appropriate pumping technology for a particular application or process system can be a challenge for non-pumping professionals, as many modern pumps are versatile and suitable for a fairly wide range of applications. Positive displacement rotary pumps, peristaltic pumps and positive displacement pumps cross application boundaries and require a certain amount of liquid to be supplied to the process system.
Choosing which of these options is best requires careful consideration and should always include the expertise of the pump manufacturer.
If an application requires linear dosing and metering of liquids, positive displacement process pumps have historically dominated the market and will continue to do so. Issues affecting the choice of a metering pump are often related to accuracy over the entire flow range and the fact that performance is not affected by pressure fluctuations in the process, as is the case with rotary pumps, compared to other types of pumps. It can handle a wide range of liquid types at various temperatures, can operate at high pressures in excess of 1000 bar when required, and offers a high level of accuracy and reproducibility.
These pumps are used in applications ranging from toiletries and detergents to pharmaceuticals, water and waste treatment, food and beverage, power generation, chemical processing, petrochemicals and vapor recovery.
Dosing pumps can add fragrance and color to toiletries just as easily as they can pump hydrocarbon condensates and liquid carbon dioxide at sea in cryogenic operations .
The most common challenges faced by users are improving security, improving efficiency, and reducing operating costs. The first two problems have been solved by developing diaphragm pump heads that prevent product leakage and contribute to a higher level of safety and more economical use of ingredients. Users are also aware of the total life cycle cost, which takes into account the initial investment and subsequent known factors such as spare parts, maintenance, downtime, energy consumption, and efficient use of the product being processed.
The application often dictates which pump to use, so it is important to have a clear understanding of fluid characteristics such as viscosity, solids content, abrasiveness, corrosiveness, toxicity, and hygiene. Other parameters must also be considered, including delivery volume and pressure, temperature, flow characteristics, and vapor pressure.
The correct pump head material must be selected according to the properties of the fluid. For toxic or harsh environments where safety and reliability are top priorities, diaphragm pump heads are often the first choice. For less demanding applications, a plunger pump head is usually sufficient.
Because metering pumps are often used as part of an integrated cleaning system, there are several factors that go into choosing the right type. These may include net positive suction head (NPSH) calculations, an overview of inlet and outlet piping diameters and lengths, and whether there are any limitations in the system. The environment also plays a role in the choice of pump material. Metering pumps are used in the harshest environments and conditions, including offshore oil and gas platforms where freezing temperatures are common, remote deserts or tropical areas where high temperatures and sand intrusion must eliminate the presence of moisture. Each type of media affects the materials used for pump components.
The type and design of the metering pump can only be specified if the complete profile of the pumped medium and the processes involved are fully documented. When compiling this profile, it is recommended to analyze any previous experience with pumping liquids
This versatile metering pump is ideal for continuous synchronous dosing of one or more fluid systems at varying rates. Remarkably, this is the only pump with two flow control methods (speed and stroke) that can be used independently or simultaneously for optimum performance.
For example, in a process where an ingredient must be accurately added to a changing main stream, speed control can be used to maintain the ratio while any necessary adjustments to maintain product quality can be made by adjusting the stroke length. The dosing pump can be fine-tuned to suit the requirements of the process system. Manual, pneumatic or electric control options are available, as well as explosion-proof designs for pumps in hazardous areas.
Post time: Apr-04-2023