A gear pump is a rotary pump that uses two more gear mesh to provide pumping action. The gear pump is categorized as a positive displacement pump. It transports fluid by enclosing a fixed volume of liquid between interlocking gears and transferring the fluid forward by mechanical action.
Gear pumps have many industrial applications, and they are mainly used in pumping high viscosity fluids like resins, paint, oil, and foodstuff. You can buy gear pumps online, but you need to pay attention to certain factors to ensure the gear pump is compatible with the process for which it will be used.
Types of Pumps
The gear pump is categorized by the position of the gears in the pump- internal or external gear pump. However, that is not the only difference between the two. Hence you need to understand both pump mechanisms before you go to buy air master pumps in Texas.
External Gear Pump– It features two identical, interlocking gears attached to separate shafts. The motor drives one gear, and it drives the other gear, also referred to as idler. In some pump designs, the motor drives both gears, and the shaft features bearings on each side in the casing.
Internal Gear Pump- the primary difference between external and internal gear pump mechanisms is the latter has two rotating interlocking gears of different sizes. The smaller gear rotates inside the larger gear. The internal gear pump has better suction capabilities that make them suitable for pumping high viscosity liquids. The internal gear pump's operating range starts at one centipoise (cP) and goes up to 1 million cP.
Clearances
The clearances refer to the distance between the gear's teeth and the gear chambers. When you buy gear pumps online, pay attention to the clearances mentioned in the specifications list.
In new gear pumps, the clearances are in the range of .007 to .005 inches. As the pump gets old, the clearances increase due to wear and tear of gears teeth. You can check this by passing a paper between clearances. According to pump experts, a minor clearance results in better performance of the gear pump.
The degree of slip depends on the clearances, viscosity of the liquid, and the developed pressure. Slip refers to the internal backflow of fluid returning from the discharge side to the suction side.
The lower the viscosity of the fluid, the greater the slippage will be. The slip is a loss of pump efficiency. Hence, you need to pay attention to the clearances when you buy air master pumps in Texas.
Flow
It is a crucial factor you need to focus on when buying a gear pump. The flow rate is generally mentioned in the specifications, and you need to ensure the pump's flow rate matches the flow rate required by the industrial process.
The flow rate is measured in cubic meters per hour or gallons per minute. A big gear pump will have a higher flow rate.
Temperature
You need to check the temperature ratings of the chemical process while selecting a gear pump. The casing of the pump and the internal gears need to operate efficiently at the industrial process temperatures and last long.
To sum up, these are some tips you can follow when you buy a gear pump for your manufacturing business.