As with all types of pumps, there are several different portable water pumps available.  Each has its own design, power, fuel source, and intended usage.  While they can sometimes be mixed and matched, if you’re in the market for a portable water pump, you’ll do well to think carefully about your needs.

These are some of the most important considerations before you make a purchase.

Four Critical Factors When Choosing A Portable Water Pump

1 – Materials being pumped

Are you only pumping water, or will it potentially be used to pump more viscous fluids as well?  A pump that isn’t suited for thicker fluids could easily get gummed up.  Likewise, another consideration here is how dirty the water might be.  Like if you’re trying to drain a field, you’ll need something robust enough to handle plenty of particulate matter, debris, and other materials which might potentially foul an unprotected pump.

2 – Amount of liquid being pumped

The size and capacity of portable pumps can vary a lot, depending on the overall amount of liquid you need to pump out.  The lower the pump’s output, the longer it’ll take to do a job.  It’s often better to over-estimate here so that you don’t end up being overwhelmed on a particular job.

3 – Fuel source

This is one a lot of people don’t stop to think about, which can cause them problems down the road.  Electric pumps need a portable power source and getting big enough batteries for the job can be a challenge.  On the other hand, for jobs like at construction sites where generators are available locally, electric pumps can be fine.

Gas-fed pumps are another option, but gasoline is volatile and flammable, meaning it may be dangerous to haul along on jobs.  Fumes from the gasoline can be another danger.

Often, propane is the best option here, since it has good energy storage while being reasonably safe to haul into a wide variety of situations.

4 – Liquid storage/transportation 

Finally, don’t forget the question of what you’re doing with the liquids you’re pumping out.  If they’re going into some sort of storage container, your pump’s output will need to be able to properly interface with that container.

FloRight Pump & Controls has one of the widest selections of turbine pump, parts, and accessories in the country.  Contact us for help selecting the right pump for your needs.

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In general, it’s best to contact an experienced turbine pump servicing company to consult on your specific situation.  However, here are some cases where a pump clearly needs to be replaced, rather than being repaired.

Five Situations Where a Turbine Pump Needs to Be Replaced

1 – Increasing demand on the pump

For a growing operation, it’s typical for a pump to be used increasingly often – and for longer periods – over time.  In general, this will accelerate the decline in a pump’s effectiveness, particularly if it’s being asked to exceed its original specifications.  In such a situation, if the pump is breaking down frequently, the best option will be to upgrade to a new, more powerful model which is capable of keeping up with demand.

2 – Too much downtime

A broken pump doesn’t merely cost money to repair, it also costs money through lost productivity and other downtime.  Often, these costs will exceed the repair costs.  When downtime is too frequent, it’s simply not worth continuing to repair the pump.  You need a new one that you can rely on.

3 – Repairs become too expensive

A pump can break down to the point that repairing it would cost as much, if not more, than buying a new unit.  We understand that in the case of custom-built pumps, the temptation is to try to stretch its life as far as possible.  However, when the damage is too bad, you’ll be better off ordering a new custom unit that can take over the job role.

4 – Space considerations

Older pumps tend to be larger than newer units, and that can become an issue if you’re looking to optimize the use of floor space.  In some cases, it may be that the overall value in getting a new pump with a smaller footprint will outweigh the added replacement costs.

5 – Moving towards automation

If your operation is looking towards “Industry 4.0” upgrades, such as remote wireless monitoring or AI oversight, your existing pumps may not be able to handle those upgrades.  Or else retrofitting them would be too unreliable.  In either case, getting a new pump to go along with your automation upgrades would be a good idea, as well as future-proofing your operation for years to come.

FloRight Pump & Controls Keeps Your Systems Flowing

For over thirty years, FloRight has been a national leader in pump installation, sales, and service.  Our expert engineers can help operations of any size overcome their pumping challenges, with custom-chosen solutions that best fit their needs.  If your vertical turbine pumps are struggling to keep up, contact us to discuss your repair or replacement options!

The post Is Your Turbine Pump Past the Point of Repair? appeared first on Flo Right Pump.

What Exactly is a Control Panel?

In the simplest of terms, industrial control panels are what humans use to control industrial motors and automated processes. Control panels were born out of necessity and are frequently optimized to provide for maximum efficiency.

What Makes a Control Panel Tick?

Most control panels will boast a lifespan of approximately 20 years. However, there are some important factors that can affect its lifespan, such as:

• Its Wiring Grid: When your control panel is installed, implementing a well-connected wiring grid with quality interfaces will make it much easier to perform repairs and maintenance when needed.

• A Heavy-Duty Power Grid: For your control panel to operate at peak efficiency, having a heavy-duty power grid is essential. Make sure you’re outfitted with adequate grounding components, contacting devices, circuit breakers, fuses, connectors, and a power supply that can support such hardware.

• Sensing & Command Controls: To lay down a strong foundation for your control panel, include a system of sensors, relays, transmission and receiving assemblies, and the proper input and output modules, in addition to hardwired logic assemblies.

• Human-Machine Interfaces: The easier to use your interface is, the easier it will be to operate, so include a control panel with the proper graphic displays, as well as lights, gauges, switches, and other necessary components.

Pay Attention to Specifications

Last but certainly not least, when creating a quality control panel, you’ll need to pay attention to its safety specifications to keep your staff safe during its operation. Understanding the construction specifications of your control panel is also essential, as you’ll be able to quickly troubleshoot any issues and repair them quickly. Wiring specifications are also key, as mentioned above.

Contact us today for more pumps and control solutions!

For more about custom control panel creation, flow pumps and turbine pump contact the team from FloRight Pumps & Controls online today or call (520) 585-5495.

The post Control Panel Design: Experts Explain the Basics appeared first on Flo Right Pump.

In this article, we’ll first briefly look at the types of pumps that can be used in a circulator or chiller, then discuss which are better in different circumstances.

Four Typical Pump Types in A Circulator/Chiller

I.  Positive Displacement Pumps

Positive displacement pumps work primarily on a suction principle.  They alter pressure within the pumping mechanism to pull and push liquid through.  They are typically high-power and work well with viscous liquids.

Rotary vane pumps create suction through rotating pieces.  They pull in liquid from one side, accelerate it through the center, which also builds up pressure that sends the liquid out the other side.  These pumps work well in situations where the liquid is free from particles or other contamination, but any solid matter will quickly gum up the works.

Reciprocating pumps create suction and pressure by using a chamber that expands and contracts – similar to a bellows.  This is typically accomplished through the use of either pistons or diaphragms.  A lack of easily accessible moving parts makes them a better choice when the liquid has solid matter, but the pulsing flow they create may not be right for all applications.

II. Centrifugal Pumps

Centrifugal pumps are simpler and more straightforward than positive displacement pumps.  They make use of rotating impellers to directly pull/push liquid through the mechanism.  They tend to have lower power and flowthrough than positive displacement options but are cheaper and easier to service.

This makes them the most commonly seen type of pump, particularly in smaller applications.

III.  Turbine Pumps 

Turbine pump combines both principles.  They utilize an impeller, like a centrifugal pump, but the design is laid out to encourage pressure buildup.  This gives them a substantially stronger outflow.  Turbine pumps are typically used in situations where low flow at high steady pressure is desired.

So, which is going to be best for a chiller or circulator? If you are only circulating water at constant pressure, a centrifugal pump will usually be good enough.  A rotary vane pump would also work.  However, for viscous liquids or situations where you need high output force, choose a reciprocating or turbine pump.

Contact FloRight Pump & Controls Today

Need more help choosing the right pump for your needs?  Contact FloRight today!

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