The right pump for your application depends on factors like speed and pressure requirements—not all pumps are designed to handle both. Choosing a pump that falls short of these demands can lead to costly unplanned downtime, lost productivity, and even premature failure.
Image Credit: Fluid Metering, Inc.
Fluid Metering’s experts can help you select a pump that meets your specific speed and pressure needs, ensuring reliable performance.
This article outlines the importance of selecting a pump that meets a specific application’s speed and pressure needs.
The Importance of Choosing a Pump Able to Accommodate High Speed and High Pressure
It is important to choose a pump that is able to administer the application’s required speed and flow rate. High speeds are also key to dispensing volumes at the microliter scale.
Fluid also has a tendency to adhere to dispense tips when dispensing over air, but a pump able to accommodate high speeds can help to shear fluid off the tip, enabling the release of smaller volumes of fluid over air.
However, higher speeds frequently cause pressure buildups within a system. It is important to work with a pump motor able to sufficiently manage each of these risk factors.
Pump speed and pressure are key performance characteristics considered in the majority of industries, including diagnostic, industrial, biomedical, and agricultural settings. Not employing the right type of pump will cause issues with any type of fluid being pumped at high speeds.
Risks of Pumps Unable to Accommodate High Speed and High Pressure
A pump’s motor, and therefore the pump itself, will stall out if it is unable to accommodate high speeds and pressure. A stalled-out pump will be unable to dispense any more fluid, resulting in lost productivity, unplanned downtime, and excessive maintenance costs.
Too much pressure may also result in fluid pumping backward within the pump, creating backflow. Too much pressure can also lead to incorrect dispensing volumes, which is an issue especially prevalent with viscous fluids.
Choosing and Maintaining a Pump Able to Accommodate High Speed and High Pressure
In any industry with any fluid being pumped, applications must find the right balance between speed and pressure. There are a number of key considerations when choosing the right pump for an application.
It is important to consider any restrictions that could impact pump performance; for example, elbow bends, tubing connectors and other system features can create extra pressure.
Motor type selection is also critical, and it is important to select a motor with enough torque to overcome any potential pressure restrictions in the system makeup.
Tubing sizes and seals must also be considered, with a range of different tubing sizes and seals available for pumps designed to accommodate high pressure and high speeds.
Fluid Metering offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions designed to ensure pump performance in line with end users’ expectations. There are a range of pump series available to manage high speeds and high flow, including:
If you're unsure which pump best fits your needs, reach out to the experts at Fluid Metering for a professional consultation. They can help you select the right pump to ensure optimal device performance and reliability.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Pump Speed and Pressure
Beyond speed and pressure, several other factors should be considered when selecting the right pump for your application.
Chemical compatibility is a key concern, especially with high-speed pump heads. The construction material must be suitable for the fluid being dispensed—some fluids, for example, may not be compatible with stainless steel.
Dispensing requirements also play a crucial role. As mentioned earlier, users handling small fluid volumes often require high-speed pumps to ensure precise dispensing and prevent fluid from adhering to the dispense tip.
Pump drive type is another important factor.
Pumps can be driven by various motors, such as stepper or DC motors, and not all motor types work for every application. If a particular motor isn’t compatible, a different pump assembly may be necessary. Understanding this before making a purchase is essential to ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
Acknowledgments
Produced from materials originally authored by Stephanie Moreau from Fluid Metering, Inc.
About Fluid Metering, Inc.
Fluid Metering, Inc. (FMI) is a worldwide leader in life science pumps and dispensers, having pioneered the first valve-less piston pump over 64 years ago. With specialized expertise in fluidics and applications, Fluid Metering, Inc. supports instrument developers in tackling complex fluidic challenges.
Committed to innovation through collaboration, Fluid Metering, Inc. advances health, sustainability, and quality of life. ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Sponsored Content Policy: AZoLifeSciences publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of AZoLifeSciences which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in life science news and information.