Choosing the Right Pump for Your Application

Selecting the right pump for your application is crucial for reliable, efficient operation. The wrong choice leads to maintenance headaches, energy waste, and premature failure. Here's how to make the right decision.

Understand Your Requirements

Flow and Head

Start with the basics: how much fluid do you need to move, and against what pressure? These define your operating point and narrow the pump options significantly.

Fluid Properties

Consider viscosity, solids content, chemical compatibility, and temperature. A pump that works perfectly for water may fail quickly with slurries or corrosive chemicals.

Operating Conditions

Continuous or intermittent duty? Variable or constant flow? Indoor or outdoor installation? These factors affect pump selection and component choices.

Pump Types Overview

Centrifugal Pumps

Best for: High flow, low to moderate head, clean or low-solids fluids. Varieties include end suction, split case, vertical inline, and multistage designs.

Positive Displacement Pumps

Best for: High pressure, precise metering, viscous fluids, or shear-sensitive products. Types include gear, lobe, screw, and diaphragm pumps.

Specialty Pumps

Self-priming, submersible, and other specialty designs address specific application challenges. The right choice depends on your unique requirements.

System Considerations

NPSH

Net Positive Suction Head determines whether the pump will cavitate. Ensure available NPSH exceeds required NPSH by an adequate margin.

System Curve

The pump must operate efficiently at the intersection of its curve and your system curve. Operating far from BEP wastes energy and accelerates wear.

Let WTPS Help

Pump selection isn't always straightforward. As authorized distributors for multiple pump lines, we can recommend the optimal equipment for your application. Contact us for selection assistance.