Slow, dense, viscous, or compact? Each of these words can be a characteristic description of a high-viscosity liquid. Regardless of whether dense oils, viscous honey, or raspberry jam are being pumped, maintaining a smooth production process involves significant demands.
Knowing how to pump and handle viscous liquids, provided the pump is used correctly, offers several benefits:
Reduced number of unscheduled downtimes
Cost savings
Extended pump life
Minimized leaks and spills
Improved product quality
These advantages mean that making a wise choice will result in high-quality production.
SETUP – HERE’S HOW TO THINK
Viscous liquids usually have one thing in common: they are thick. However, different liquids can vary in many ways, so the pump’s characteristics must match the liquid’s properties. For example, jam may contain particles that a diaphragm pump cannot handle but a lobe pump can easily manage.
Depending on the type of liquid being pumped, several factors affecting the pump’s characteristics and material selection should be considered. Ensure that the pump is easy to clean to avoid contamination with different liquids and to facilitate washing after use.
The pump’s capacity must be sufficient to handle the specific medium. This means choosing a pump with sufficiently high pressure, speed, or power to effectively pump viscous liquids.
The material used in the pump’s construction is also a primary factor influencing the cost-effective pumping of viscous liquids. For example, viscous media require materials resistant to wear and erosion.
Not only viscous liquids require custom flow solutions for successful production. Other less viscous fluids, such as alcohol or milk, also require other customized environments or properties, such as ATEX explosive atmosphere or sanitary material execution.
EASY HANDLING OF THICK LIQUIDS
When wanting to pump a viscous liquid, you should consider the choice of pump. Here are pumps that easily handle viscosity:
- Hose pump. Your choice when you want the fluid to be handled gently while meeting high demands.
- Lobe pump. For those who require high flow capacity, particle handling capability, and smooth flow.
- Diaphragm pump. A self-priming, wear-resistant pump, built from flexible material and easy to clean.
- Screw pump. The obvious choice for those who need a pump with self-priming capability, a large passage for handling large particles or fibers, and the ability to change flow rate.
- Twin-screw pump. A multi-industry pump providing smooth, pulsation-free pumping.
These pumps have more features than what you’ve learned here, and some have completely unique functions. If you want to learn more about viscous fluids and solutions that meet your needs, contact us.
These pumps have more features than what you’ve learned here, and some of them have completely unique functions.
If you want to learn more about viscous fluids and solutions that meet your needs, contact us.
