Advanced Chemical Process Pump Solutions

Advanced Chemical Process Pump Solutions

In several modern industries, including pharmaceuticals, chemical processing, oil & gas, food processing and wastewater management, pumps play an important role when handling corrosive, abrasive, and hazardous fluids. These pumps do not merely move liquids from one place to another; they effectively handle arduous operating conditions, offering industries a durable and reliable solution for their needs.

Here are some key types of advanced chemical processing pumps:

Centrifugal Pumps: As the name suggests, centrifugal pumps work on the basis of a circular movement; the pump displaces fluids via rotational energy from an impeller. One of the most commonly used pumps today, centrifugal pumps are known for their efficiency, simplicity, and ability to handle large flow rates. As far as their working mechanism is concerned, the fluid enters the pump through the inlet or the suction side, after which, the rotating impeller creates a centrifugal force to push the liquid outward. Owing to the added pressure, the fluid moves from the impeller to the diffuser and finally to the discharge outlet.

A popular centrifugal pump is the magnetic drive pump (mag drive), which uses magnetic coupling instead of a direct shaft connection. The sealless design of mag drive pumps prevents leaks, making them ideal for industries where hazardous chemicals are handled.

Positive Displacement Pumps: These modern chemical processing pumps displace fluids by trapping a fixed amount of liquid and forcing it through the discharge. As opposed to centrifugal pumps, positive displacement pumps work on speed (in a particular direction) and pressure. The best part about positive displacement pumps is that they deliver consistent flow rates regardless of pressure variations.

Positive displacement pumps feature a cavity which expands to draw in fluid. Once the fluid is drawn, the same cavity contracts to discharge it from the outlet. These two steps are repeated continuously to deliver a steady and controlled flow. Popular positive displacement pumps include gear pumps which use mesh gears to push liquid; lobe pumps, where rotating lobes displace fluids; and screw pumps, which use intermeshing screws to move fluids smoothly.

Sealless pumps: Since these pumps do not have any seals, they eliminate the risk of leaks, require significantly less maintenance, and are considered a reliable option. Any leak while handling hazardous, toxic, corrosive, or valuable fluids can be very risky, so sealless pumps are preferred by several industries, such as chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, food production, and petrochemicals. Besides mag drive pumps, canned motor pumps are popular as sealless pumps. Canned motor pumps are highly efficient and perfect for high-pressure and high-temperature applications.

Mechanically Sealed Pumps: A mechanically sealed pump is a pump that uses a mechanical seal to prevent leakage between the rotating shaft and the stationary pump casing. These pumps consist of a rotating and stationary surface, which, when pressed together, create a tight seal that prevents fluid leakage while allowing rotation.

Other popular pumps include submersible which are used for wastewater and slurry applications; slurry pumps, which are ideal for corrosive and abrasive slurries in chemical processing; and high-temperature pumps, which are designed to work amidst extreme temperatures in chemical production, including molten salts and hot acids.

Modern Chemical Processing Pumps by Richter

All modern chemical pumps are expected to handle aggressive fluids and chemicals. They are also likely to offer leak-proof operations. But Richter pumps take performance and efficiency a notch above. Built with optimum material combination with PTFE lining and PFA disc, and superior corrosion resistance, all Richter pumps are built to last.

The modern design of the pumps optimises energy consumption at all stages of the operation. To meet specific operational needs, Richter pumps are available in various configurations, including mag drive, vortex, peripheral, mechanically sealed, and sealless. Additionally, modular designs allow for easy customisation and upgrades.

Richter's mag drive pumps feature optimised hydraulics, which minimise energy costs. A smaller number of components ensure the pumps are easy to maintain. These pumps also offer superior resistance to corrosion and can be adapted to a wide variety of operating conditions.

Richter's mechanically sealed pumps are designed for heavy-duty operations. These pumps can handle pressures up to PN16 and work with temperatures between -60 °C and +180 °C. The mechanical seals of these pumps can be replaced with low-cost seals throughout the pump's lifecycle.

Richter, working under the IDEX India umbrella, is India's leading and trusted valve manufacturer. For decades, the brand has offered various industries cost-effective alternatives to expensive special metals and alloys. Its high-grade, corrosion-resistant, fluoro plastic-lined products ensure reliable fluid isolation, making them ideal for applications requiring safe separation between fluids and the atmosphere. All Richter pumps are built for durability. The pumps' PTFE lining allows them to handle the most challenging fluids while ensuring long operations and low lifecycle costs.

To know more about Richter's chemical processing pumps, visit their website today: https://www.idexindia.in/richter/