PROCESS LIQUIDS
Compatibility starts with the process.
Chemical and petrochemical pump selection connects liquid chemistry, hydraulic duty, wetted materials and sealing requirements.
Process context
Application illustration
01 / LIQUID IDENTITY
A chemical name is the starting point. Concentration, impurities and operating temperature determine the exposure.
Use the chemical name and composition, with the safety data sheet where available. A trade name alone may leave important constituents unclear.
Include normal concentration and expected variation. Compatibility at one concentration does not establish suitability across the process range.
Identify additives, contaminants and suspended solids. The complete mixture belongs in the material and hydraulic assessment.
02 / OPERATING DUTY
Assess normal use and process extremes. Temperature affects material compatibility and vapour pressure.
Match the pump curve to the system. Liquid properties must accompany the duty values.
Available suction head and the liquid’s vapour pressure influence the margin against cavitation.
These affect hydraulic performance or power demand. Use values at the operating temperature.
INCLUDE THE WHOLE CYCLE
A pump also contacts cleaning and flushing fluids. Include their chemistry, concentration and temperature in the wetted-material and seal review.
03 / MATERIAL & SEAL SELECTION
Casing material is one part of compatibility. Linings, impellers, seal faces, elastomers and gaskets also contact the process liquid.
Compare material options against the full mixture and temperature range. A stainless-steel or fluoroplastic label alone cannot establish suitability.
Relate sealing and connection requirements to the liquid, pressure and site containment needs. Confirm applicable project standards and the selected equipment’s scope.
FOLLOW CHANGES IN EXPOSURE
A process description should cover the conditions that contact the pump throughout operation. Changes in the liquid or operating state can alter the selection.
Different batches
A material assessed for one liquid may encounter a different concentration, additive or cleaning fluid in the next stage.
Selection focus
List each relevant exposure and its temperature range. Compare the complete wetted-material and seal system with those conditions so the selection covers the intended cycle.
Solids in the liquid
Suspended particles introduce passage and wear considerations alongside chemical compatibility.
Selection focus
Add particle size and concentration to the liquid data. Compare the proposed construction and sealing against both effects; chemical resistance by itself does not describe a suitable solids-handling duty.
Temperature & inlet
Liquid vapour pressure and the inlet conditions influence the available suction margin, while temperature also affects materials and seals.
Selection focus
Keep source pressure, liquid temperature and inlet losses with the hydraulic duty. Use the selected equipment’s applicable suction and operating limits rather than a room-temperature water assumption.
BBP’s chemical-pump range includes transfer, submerged and higher-head designs. Match the design to your liquid and installation.
End-suction chemical pumps are an option for suitable corrosive liquids with water-like properties.
Vertical chemical pumps place the pumping end within the process vessel or sump.
Multistage process pumps serve higher-head duties. Selection depends on the liquid and model limits.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
A complete liquid and operating description allows material, hydraulic and sealing decisions to be compared against the same requirement.
The choice depends on the chemical mixture, concentration, temperature and other service conditions. Also compare every wetted component, including seal faces, elastomers and gaskets. The material name or a general resistance table is a starting point for the selected equipment review.
Assess both exposures as part of one duty, including cleaning concentration, temperature and any residues or mixtures. Confirm that the proposed wetted materials and sealing are suitable for the complete stated cycle before adopting a common pump arrangement.
Provide the viscosity at operating temperature and describe the solids or fibres. A water-like liquid assumption may be unsuitable. BBP’s range also includes single-screw pumps for suitable viscous or solids-bearing duties; compare that option with the process conditions and model limits.
Share the liquid data, operating range and cleaning cycle with BBP to discuss pump selection, materials and sealing.