Unless a person installs or maintains pumps for a living, he or she may not even think of those until one of them stops working and an essential operation must shut down. Then, the sense of urgency hits. That pump that was forgotten about until now becomes top priority. Individuals who do not know where to turn during these circumstances will experience a long day.
Pumps Come in Many Varieties
Many factors must be considered in order to make the right choice when purchasing or renting hydraulic pumps. First, pumps must be compatible with the liquids they are pumping. For example, a wastewater treatment operation might need a pump that is capable of handling corrosive material, like sulfuric acid, in one part of the operation and one that only pumps water in another. The acid pump must be made of material and have seals that will not corrode under harsh conditions. The gallons-per-minute and pressure capability of this pump does not necessarily need to be very high, however. On the other hand, pumps that keep the water flowing through the system will need to be capable of handling a much higher volume, in most cases.
High Pressure vs. Low Pressure Pumps
In the waste treatment application mentioned above, the water pump will likely be connected to a large diameter pipe but will not need to pump at high pressure. Smaller pumps on machines may need to be capable of delivering fluids at a high pressure. This could be because of the need to keep metal chips flushed away from a cutting operation or other situation in which high velocity is important.
How Pumps are Powered
The two primary power sources by which pumps operate are electricity and air pressure. Because air pressure can be an expensive form of energy, due to the amount of electricity consumption involved in running compressors, most stationary pumps are electric. Pumps that operate from air pressure are common when they must be moved from place to place and connecting them to an air hose is more convenient than running electricity to them. In other cases, pumps can be PTO-powered or connected to a gasoline or diesel engine.
Pump Installation and Repair
Companies like Master Pumps & Power can provide installation and repair services. Before purchasing a pump, it is important to make sure the particular pump matches the application, and expert help can be invaluable in making the right selection.