Slow, thick, viscous or dense? Any of these words can be a characteristic description of a high-viscosity fluid. Whether you're pumping thick oils, sticky honey, or lumpy raspberry jam, significant demands are placed on maintaining a smooth production process.
Knowing how to pump and handle viscous fluids, provided that the pump is used correctly, offers several advantages:
- Fewer unplanned downtime
- Cost savings
- Extended pump lifespan
- Minimized spills and leaks
- Energy savings
- Improved product quality
These advantages mean that making a smart choice will result in high-quality production.
Configuration - here's how you should think
Viscous fluids generally have one thing in common: they are thick. However, different fluids can vary in many aspects, and therefore the pump's features need to match the characteristics of the fluid. For example, jam may contain particles that a diaphragm pump cannot handle, but are easily handled by a lobe pump.
Depending on the type of fluid you are pumping, you need to consider several factors when it comes to the pump's characteristics and material selection. You need to ensure that the pump is easy to clean to avoid contamination between different fluids and facilitate cleaning after use.
The capacity of the pump must be sufficient to handle the specific fluid. That means you need to choose a pump with a high enough pressure, velocity, or power to effectively pump the viscous fluid.
The material used in the pump construction is also a fundamental factor in pumping viscous fluids in a cost-effective manner. For example, viscous fluids require materials that resist wear and erosion.
It's not just viscous fluids that require customized flow solutions for successful production. Other less viscous fluids, such as alcohol or milk, also require other adapted environments or characteristics, such as an ATEX environment or a pump made of sanitary material.
Handle thick liquid with ease
To pump a viscous fluid, you need to consider what pump you choose. Here are the pumps that handle viscosity with ease:
- Hose pump. Your friend when you want the fluid to be handled gently while meeting high demands.
- Lobe pump. For those who require high flow capacity, the ability to handle particles, and a smooth flow.
- Diaphragm pump. The pump that is self-priming, resistant to wear, built with flexible material, and easy to clean.
- Screw pump. The obvious choice for those who want a pump with self-priming capability, generous passage to handle large particles and fibers, and the ability to vary the flow.
- Twin-screw pump. A multi-industry pump that provides smooth and pulsation-free pumping.
These pumps have more features than what you've learned here, and some of them have entirely unique functions. If you want to learn more about viscous fluids and solutions that suit your needs, feel free to contact us