Sanitary Self-Priming Pump Selection Guide

In the food processing, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries, especially when the liquid level is below the pump inlet and outlet, or air may be present in the suction line, sanitary self-priming pumps are required. Sanitary self-priming pumps are designed to pump materials containing air or gas, and can also be used in negative suction systems with preferential suction and filtration equipment. When selecting a pump, consider the fluid's characteristics (viscosity, temperature, corrosivity), flow rate, pressure requirements, and other factors.

Key Considerations for Sanitary Self-Priming Pump Selection:

Fluid Characteristics:

•Temperature: Ensure the pump can withstand the fluid's temperature.

•Corrosivity: Select a pump made of a material resistant to the fluid's corrosion.

•Solids Handling: If the fluid contains solids, ensure the pump can handle these solids without clogging or damage.

Flow Rate:

Flow rate requirements are essential for determining pump selection. It is one of the two main factors in evaluating performance curves. If you are unsure of the flow rate, you need to know how much liquid needs to be moved per unit time. This is usually measured in liters per minute (l/min) or cubic meters per hour (m³/h). For example, if 10 m³ of liquid is pumped in one hour, 10 m³ ÷ 1 hour = 10 m³/h (cubic meters per hour).

Pressure: Consider the pressure required by the application, including both lift and discharge pressures. This is the total pressure the pump must overcome, including vertical head (suction and discharge), friction losses in the piping, and any pressure at the discharge point. It is typically measured in meters of water column (mH₂O) or bar.

Viscosity: Viscosity is an important factor when selecting a pump. It represents the fluid's resistance to flow. Viscosity is typically measured in mPas or cps. High-viscosity fluids (such as syrups and creams) may require different pump technology than low-viscosity fluids (such as water and juices). For example, a self-priming rotary lobe pump might be suitable for high-viscosity fluids, while a CIP (Citrilated Inertial Pressure) or self-priming centrifugal pump might be suitable for low-viscosity fluids.

In all sanitary self-priming pump applications, dry-running or idling is prohibited. Before starting the pump, please make sure that the pump chamber is filled with liquid to form a vacuum effect to absorb the liquid, avoid cavitation, maintain stable operation, prevent air from entering the pipeline system, and prevent secondary contamination.

In general, the pump model can be selected based on specific operating conditions, such as fluid characteristics, viscosity, flow rate, and pressure.

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