Plant and Equipment: Flow Equipment: Pumps

Pumps are small pieces of equipment that promote the circulation of liquids between and through pieces of equipment. When selecting a pump, the main factors to consider are:. 1.The viscosity of the fluid, and whether it is a clear fluid or contains solid particles in suspension.2.The sensitivity of the fluid quality characteristics to shearing and viscous shear energy dissipation.3.The pumping requirements (pressure, flow rate).4.The hygienic requirements of the process (which are high for dairy products).5.The cost of the pump and of its maintenance.The main issues are to ensure that:. 1.The mechanical action of the pump affects the fluid characteristics to the least extent possible.2.The pump is operating close to its optimum point.3.There is no cavitation (the pressure of the fluid cannot go below its vapor pressure anywhere in the pump).4.The mechanical wear of the elements of the pump (moving parts, seals) is not extensive to the point of causing significant loss of pumping efficiency (a preventive maintenance program would be quite adequate for pumps).