How to Select the best Industrial Pump
When you’re presented with various types of industrial pumps, it can be confusing to select the one that’s the best for your project needs.
We’re going to take a look at what industrial pumps are and how they can be used to maintain a smooth and problem-free operation.
What is an Industrial Pump?
Industrial pumps are used in a wide variety of applications across many industries in Australia. These devices are usually heavy-duty process pumps which are used to move water, chemicals, petroleum, wastewater, slurry, oil and food. There are basically two types of pumps typically used for industrial purposes: centrifugal pumps and positive displacement pumps.
Positive Displacement Pumps
There are a vast range of pump types. These include piston pumps, diaphragm pumps, screw pumps, gear pumps [internal and external], lobe pumps, peristaltic pumps, progressive cavity pumps, and many others. We will however, concentrate this article on the centrifugal industrial pump.
Industrial pumps and the hierarchy of controls
There are numerous risks that operators face in maintaining industrial pump assets. In a survey conducted by Hydro Innovations, the following risks were highlighted by industry operators:
- Working over water
- Working at heights
- Working with heavy swinging weights
- Working with cranes
- Working in confined spaces
When a manufacturing facility chooses to go with self-priming centrifugal pumps for their wastewater systems, many, if not all, of these risks are eliminated.
By eliminating these risks, the effectiveness and sustainability of the asset is increased. This in turn, reduces participation and supervision, which in turn naturally has an impact on maintenance costs.
Whenever chokes need to be removed, pump maintenance needs to be done or guide rails or discharge bends need attention in the “conventional” system, the risks require increased participation and supervision. Those choosing self-priming pumps eliminate these risks.
Whenever chokes need to be removed, pump maintenance needs to be done or guide rails or discharge bends need attention in the “conventional” system, the risks require the increased participation and supervision depicted in the above diagram. Those choosing self-priming pumps have eliminated these risks.
While there is increased costs associated with increased participation and supervision, there are “hidden” costs associated with operating “conventional” systems.
– Power consumption. A submersible pump is losing efficiency from day one, and the only way to get “factory settings” back to worn wear rings is to replace them or adjust clearances. Until then, pumps are not delivering their published efficiency. Getting back to published efficiency requires a submersible pump to be removed from the wet well [with a small crew and a crane]. Until this is done, costs are “leaking” from the system. This is something that is not noticed immediately. Pump cycles will continue to lengthen gradually, over time, wasting energy along the way, until the pump cycles become so long, someone notices.
– Again on power consumption, all submersible pumps rely on the sealing between the pump and the discharge bend. This may be all fine on “Day 1”, but at some point in time, that metal to metal “seal” will wear, and begin leaking. After leaks start, they get larger as more material passes through that point. Also, as pumps get lowered back onto discharge bends, they may not always seat properly [because of foreign matter], again causing leaks.
– All lifting chains for these submersible pumps need to be rated/certified. They need to be inspected or replaced every single year. This may not be a huge cost for one set of chains for one pump, but the cost to replace these chains on multiple pumps every year, over several years, adds up.
– Some production plants have their own lifting apparatus to raise submersible pumps out of wet wells, but others need to rely on 3rd party contractors with crane trucks. This could be a yearly event [or more often if blockages occur], coming at a high cost.
– The number of personnel needed to provide maintenance services on submersible pumps is also a factor often overlooked when assessing how much it will cost to maintain an asset.
– And if a submersible pump needs to be accessed while still in the wet well [stuck on guide rails or broken lifting chain or replacing discharge bends, a very expensive and dangerous confined-spaces entry will be necessary.
Selecting the Right Self-Priming Pump – For Wastewater
Self priming pumps are mounted on the surface at ground level, with only the suction lines entering the wet well. Wet well lids remain closed for all routine maintenance events [such as oil changes, clearance adjustments, valve greasing], and even major overhauls are all done with the wet well lids sealed. All mechanical and electrical equipment is mounted at ground level. This does make them substantially safer to operate than submersible pump systems.
If the decision has been made to install self priming pumps because of safety or maintenance cost savings, selecting the right one is important.
Some considerations effecting the selection include:-
– Pressure
– Suction lift
– Suction line size
– Suction line submergence
– Solids in the fluid
– Chemicals in the fluid
– Temperature of the fluid
– Safety features of the pump
– Maintenance features of the pump
These are just some of the factors to consider when selecting a new industrial pump, as well as when configuring an effective pump system that will hopefully last you many, many years to come—no matter what materials you are pumping every day.
If you are looking to buy and install a new pump system, turn to the pump selection experts at Hydro Innovations. Contact us today to get started!
Videos:
Watch videos here showing the simple concept of above ground Gorman-Rupp pumps:
SUBMERSIBLE PUMP VS. ABOVE-GROUND GORMAN-RUPP PUMP
ERIC VS. CHICKEN
GORMAN-RUPP PUMP VS. COMPETITOR PUMP
Our expert team is standing by for any questions you have about how best to configure your pump system.
Industrial Pumps:
Download the Brochure | Ask Our Team
The Gorman-Rupp Super U Series self priming dewatering and grey water pumps combines the best features of quality trash pumps in Australia with increased fuel efficiency and higher heads to pump through smaller and/or longer discharge piping systems or overcome the losses in filter systems.
These centrifugal pumps have been designed for economical, heavy duty (24/7) trouble-free operation.
Advantages include:
- Ability to mount high and dry above the water (not in it)(to 7.6m)
- Low cost of ownership
- Greatly reduced OH&S issues
- Easy access for monitoring or service
- Advanced safety features to protect operators
- Improved maintenance features to greatly reduce maintenance time and costs, with removable rotating assembly
- A variety of materials of construction to handle abrasive and/or corrosive fluids
- Any engine brand required by the customer
- Choice of skid or trailer mounted configuration
Ask Our Team
The Gorman-Rupp O Series pumps were originally designed for handling petroleum products. Later, O Series pumps were introduced into the industrial market for effective handling of solvents and similar liquids, as well as excellent clean liquids handling. The straight-in-suction design without a check valve eliminated entrance restrictions provides quick, reliable self-priming with few moving parts offering saving through minimal maintenance and increased efficiency. The O Series has a variety of seal configurations to choose from allowing it to handle a number of different liquids.
Advantages include:
- Capital cost savings over wet well/ dry well constructions
- Low cost of ownership
- Easy access for monitoring or service
Download the Brochure | Ask Our Team
The Gorman-Rupp Super T Series self-priming centrifugal wastewater/sewage pump has been the world benchmark for this technology since 1963 (>50 years). They have been designed for economical, trouble-free operation, with superior solids handling capability and a large inspection cover to access pump internals for service or blockage removal.
Advantages include:
- Self-Priming pump has the ability to mount high and dry above the wet well (not in it)
- Low cost of ownership
- Greatly reduced OH&S issues – no more working over water/heights/cranes/heavy swinging weights
- Surface-mounted pumps with easy access for monitoring or service
- Advanced safety features including pressure relief valve to protect operators
- Improved maintenance features to greatly reduce maintenance time and costs, with removable rotating assembly
- A variety of materials of construction to handle abrasive and/or corrosive fluids
Download the Brochure | Ask Our Team
The Gorman-Rupp Super T Series pump with Eradicator™ Solids Management System are a series of self-priming centrifugal pumps designed specifically for handling municipal and industrial wastewater containing stringy, difficult-to-pump, solids in suspension (such as wet wipes, rags and feathers).
They have been designed for economical, trouble-free operation, with design features that deliver superior solids handling capability and a large inspection cover to access pump internals for service or blockage removal. Gorman-Rupp Super T Series wastewater and sewage pumps have been used for pumping of WAS and RAS and for digester recirculation with great success in wastewater treatment plants around the country, as well as food process plants, paper mills and other heavy industries. The Eradicator™ system advances the solids handling capabilities of this range.
Advantages include:
- Ability to mount high and dry above the wet well [not in it]
- Low cost of ownership
- Greatly reduced OH&S issues
- Easy access for monitoring or service
- Advanced safety features to protect operators
- Improved maintenance features to greatly reduce maintenance time and costs, with removable rotating assembly
- A variety of materials of construction to handle abrasive and/or corrosive fluids
Download the Brochure | Ask Our Team
The Gorman-Rupp Ultra V Series is the most advanced self-priming centrifugal wastewater and sewage pump range on the market today.
They are high performance, high head, and high-efficiency pumps, designed to deliver a long and low maintenance service life, with a low cost of ownership.
Advantages include:
- Ability to mount high and dry above the wet well [not in it]
- Efficiencies up to 20% higher than any other solids handling self primer
- Higher pressures (heads) (up to 300%) than any other solids handling self primer
- Greatly improved operator safety
- Easy access for monitoring or service
- Improved maintenance features to greatly reduce maintenance time and costs, with removable rotating assembly
- A variety of materials of construction to handle abrasive and/or corrosive fluids
Download the Brochure | Ask Our Team
The Gorman-Rupp Ultra V Series solids handling sewage and wastewater pumps with Eradicator™ Solids Management System are a series of self-priming centrifugal pumps designed specifically for handling municipal and industrial wastewater containing stringy, difficult to pump, solids in suspension (such as “wet wipes” , rags and feathers).
They have been designed for economical, trouble-free operation, with design features that deliver superior solids handling capability and a large inspection cover to access pump internals for service or blockage removal. Gorman-Rupp Ultra V Series wastewater and sewage pumps have been used for pumping of WAS and RAS and for digester recirculation with great success in wastewater treatment plants around the country, as well as food process plants, paper mills and other heavy industries. The Eradicator™ system advances the solids handling capabilities of this range.
Advantages include:
- Ability to mount high and dry above the wet well [not in it]
- Low cost of ownership
- Greatly reduced OH&S issues
- Easy access for monitoring or service
- Advanced safety features to protect operators
- Improved maintenance features to greatly reduce maintenance time and costs, with removable rotating assembly
- A variety of materials of construction to handle abrasive and/or corrosive fluids
Ask Our Team
The Gorman-Rupp 80 Series range of self priming centrifugal grey water are heavy duty 24/7, quick priming “work horses” for industry. With multi-vane impellers and a “straight-in” suction design, the 80 Series pumps deliver high efficiencies and quick positive self priming.
Advantages include:
- Ability to mount high and dry above the wet well [not in it]
- Capital cost savings over wet well/ dry well constructions
- Low cost of ownership
- Greatly reduced OH&S issues
- Easy access for monitoring or service
Ask Our Team
The Gorman-Rupp G Series range of self priming positive displacement rotary gear pumps is designed to provide superior performance in the transfer of process fluids, unmatched in the industry. Available in Medium-Duty , Heavy-Duty and Extreme-Duty (abrasive service) models, pump materials include cast iron, cast steel and stainless steel.
G Series self priming pumps are manufactured with unique features that enable them to perform better and last longer on countless applications, providing quality and reliability that make the G Series the premier pump in the industry.
Advantages include:
- An automatic idler pin lubrication system uses the pumped fluid to continuously cool and lubricate the idler pin and bush to reduce wear in this area.
- An internal seal cavity venting system provides a continuous flow of liquid through the seal area, ensuring cooling and reducing pressure. This reduces seal face
- load, increasing seal life.
- A deep “end-feed” area offers superior priming performance under low inlet pressure conditions and/or high viscosity liquids.
- Easy to service
- Viscosities to 440,000 cSt
- Pressures to 20.7 bar (300 psi)
- Flows to 2200 litres per minute
- Handle a variety of liquids , including highly viscous, high temperature and abrasive fluids
- Widest range of sealing options in the industry
- High strength material eliminates the need for special steel fittings traditionally needed for viscous applications.
- Widest range of housing ports
- Widest range of bushing materials
Download the Brochure | Ask Our Team
The Gorman-Rupp Super U Series self priming dewatering and grey water pumps combines the best features of quality trash pumps in Australia with increased fuel efficiency and higher heads to pump through smaller and/or longer discharge piping systems or overcome the losses in filter systems.
These centrifugal pumps have been designed for economical, heavy duty (24/7) trouble-free operation.
Advantages include:
- Ability to mount high and dry above the water (not in it)(to 7.6m)
- Low cost of ownership
- Greatly reduced OH&S issues
- Easy access for monitoring or service
- Advanced safety features to protect operators
- Improved maintenance features to greatly reduce maintenance time and costs, with removable rotating assembly
- A variety of materials of construction to handle abrasive and/or corrosive fluids
- Any engine brand required by the customer
- Choice of skid or trailer mounted configuration
Download the Brochure | Ask Our Team
Ragazzini Rotho Peristaltic Pumps are the ideal choice for dosing and metering.
They consist of an elastomeric tube that is squeezed along its length by rollers that push the fluid contained within. This creates a gentle pumping action that doesn’t cause damage to the peristaltic pump.
Advantages include:
- Handle a range of fluids including viscous products, abrasives and chemicals
- High performance including pressures to 15 BAR, reversible flow, and suction lifts
- Accurate metering as well as high flows (to 180m3/hour)
- Easy maintenance including easy hose replacement and easy leak detection
- CIP with retractable rollers
- Greater operator safety
- Easy access for monitoring or service
- A variety of hose materials to handle food, pharmaceuticals, chemical, abrasive and/or corrosive fluids
Download the Brochure | Ask Our Team
Ragazzini Peristaltic Pump are at the cutting edge of “Hose Pump” design and have the features to make pumping easier. They consist of an elastomeric tube that is squeezed along its length by rollers that push the fluid contained within. This creates a gentle pumping action that doesn’t cause damage to the product. Further advantages include:
- Handle a range of applications including food products, abrasives, chemicals and solids
- High performance including pressures to 15 BAR, reversible flow, and suction lifts
- Easy maintenance including easy hose replacement and easy leak detection
- CIP with retractable rollers
- Greater operator safety
- Easy access for monitoring or service
- A variety of hose materials to handle food, pharmaceuticals, abrasive and/or corrosive fluids
Our Team is available to answer your pump query within the hour
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Hydro Innovations is proud to distribute a broad range of quality, reliable and industry-leading industrial pumps and aerators.
We are also delighted to share that Hydro Innovations is proud to be the exclusive distributor of Gorman-Rupp Pumps.
Gorman-Rupp is the world leader in self-priming centrifugal wastewater pump technology, and invests heavily in R&D, and in training for their international representatives – like Hydro Innovations.
This puts us in an excellent position to make the very best recommendations for our Australian customers.
Our other suppliers, Ragazzini of Italy and EDUR of Germany, are also world leaders in their respective technologies (Peristaltic Pumps – Ragazzini, and Specialist centrifugal pumps – EDUR).
We carry a very large inventory of pumps and spare parts for all of these brands, to help us to deliver industry-leading service.