Choosing a pump for industrial or residential uses can seem easy enough. After all, a pump is only supposed to move fluids from one point to another. If you look at the options available in the market, things do not seem so simple. There are many designs and numerous performance considerations to be aware of. Here are the most important ones to keep in mind when picking a pump.
Fluid Properties
You should know the types of fluids you will be pumping and their properties. You must find one that can handle that fluid and that is designed to do so efficiently. For example, for pumping slurry equipment, some pumps might not be suitable for fluids with different properties.
Other critical considerations include the liquid’s PH levels, vapor pressure, temperature, abrasiveness, solid particle size and concentration, viscosity, and specific gravity.
Pump Capacity or Flow Rate
Once you know the fluids you will be pumping and their specific properties, the next important consideration is the pump’s capacity or flow rate. This is the amount of fluid it can transport in a given time.
You need to understand how much you will process or pump in a given day, week, or month so you can match those needs to the right pump.
Maintenance and Accessibility
The pump you choose should also be easy to service, and its parts should be readily available. It should also be accessible enough so a handyman can complete routine maintenance, repairs, and inspections easily.
A pump that is difficult to service or access will increase your maintenance cost and the cost of owning it throughout its lifespan.
Energy Efficiency
Different types of pumps have different drive mechanisms. These mechanisms determine how much power the pump will use and, therefore, its energy efficiency.
The pump should have a high efficiency rating so it consumes as little power as possible when operating. This is crucial for keeping your energy bills down.
Operating Environments
All pumps have an optimal operating environment listed. The conditions the pump is supposed to operate are listed as temperature, humidity, altitude, and the presence of explosive or hazardous materials.
Always read the operating manual and the manufacturer’s instructions to see if the pumps you are considering are right for the operating temperature you want to use them.
Reliability
You can find a cheaper pump for your specific use case. You might even be able to use the wrong type of pump for your application. However, both options are terrible because you might have to service it regularly or increase the risk of catastrophic failure. Both can lead to unnecessary expenses and expensive downtime.
Instead of dealing with such issues, it is much better to get a reliable pump, even though it will likely be more expensive. The reduced repair bills and downtime costs will offset the additional cost over time.
There are just some of the many considerations you should remember when choosing a pump for industrial and residential applications. Keeping them in mind will help you choose the right pump that will perform as expected and last you many years before you have to replace it.
