To select an industrial pump correctly, provide the pumped liquid, normal and maximum temperature, required flow, required head, system pressure, viscosity, particle content, material requirements, inlet and outlet connections, power supply and application.

Providing complete operating information helps the supplier recommend a suitable pump and prepare a more accurate quotation. A model cannot be selected reliably using only motor power, pipe size or maximum flow.

Why Is Complete Pump Information Important?

An industrial pump operates as part of a complete system. Its actual performance depends on both the pump and the resistance created by pipes, valves, filters, heat exchangers and process equipment.

Two customers requesting the same flow may need different pumps because their liquids, temperatures, piping and required heads are different.

Incomplete information may result in:

• Insufficient flow
• Insufficient pump head
• Excessive pressure
• Motor overload
• Material incompatibility
• Seal leakage
• Cavitation
• Incorrect connections
• Incompatible voltage or frequency
• Higher maintenance requirements

Industrial Pump Selection Checklist

1. What Liquid Will the Pump Handle?

Provide the exact name of the pumped liquid. General descriptions such as “water,” “oil” or “chemical” may not provide enough information.

Useful details include:

• Liquid name
• Chemical composition
• Concentration
• Brand and grade
• Safety data sheet
• Whether the liquid is corrosive
• Whether the liquid is toxic or flammable
• Whether contamination must be avoided

The liquid determines which pump casing, impeller, bearing, gasket and sealing materials may be suitable.

Example

Instead of writing:

Liquid: Oil

Provide:

Liquid: Heat-transfer oil, brand and grade provided, operating at 180°C with viscosity data attached.

2. What Are the Operating Temperatures?

Temperature affects pump materials, clearances, seals, bearings, magnets and motor protection.

Provide:

• Minimum startup temperature
• Normal continuous temperature
• Maximum possible temperature
• Ambient temperature if unusually high or low

For thermal oil, cold-start temperature is important because viscosity may be much higher before the oil is heated.

Do not provide only the heater setpoint if the actual temperature reaching the pump may be different.

3. What Flow Rate Is Required?

Flow rate describes the liquid volume that must pass through the system within a specified time.

Common units include:

• Liters per minute: L/min
• Cubic meters per hour: m³/h
• Gallons per minute: GPM

Specify whether the value is:

• Minimum required flow
• Normal operating flow
• Maximum required flow

Do not request a pump only by its catalogue maximum flow. The pump must provide the required flow at the required head.

4. What Pump Head Is Required?

Pump head represents the energy required to overcome system resistance. It may be expressed in meters of liquid or converted from pressure-loss data.

The required head may include resistance from:

• Straight pipes
• Bends and fittings
• Valves
• Filters and strainers
• Heat exchangers
• Heaters
• Mold channels
• Process equipment

If the required head is unknown, provide the pipe diameter, pipe length, height difference, fittings and equipment pressure-loss information.

5. What Is the System Pressure?

System pressure and pump head are related, but they are not the same specification.

Provide:

• Normal operating pressure
• Maximum possible pressure
• Required outlet pressure if applicable
• Whether the system is open or closed
• Whether pressure changes during heating

This information helps confirm the suitability of the pump casing, connections and internal components.

6. What Are the Liquid Viscosity and Density?

Viscosity affects flow, pressure loss, pump efficiency and required motor power. Density affects pressure conversion and motor load.

For liquids such as thermal oil, provide viscosity at:

• Cold-start temperature
• Normal operating temperature
• Maximum operating temperature if available

A pump performance curve may be based on water. Performance can change when the pump handles a more viscous liquid.

7. Does the Liquid Contain Solid Particles?

Provide particle information before selecting a pump, especially for a magnetic drive pump or a pump with small internal clearances.

Required details include:

• Particle type
• Maximum particle size
• Particle concentration
• Whether particles are hard or abrasive
• Whether a filter is installed

Particles may cause blockage, wear or damage to internal bearings and seals.

8. Is Leakage Control Important?

The acceptable leakage risk helps determine the pump structure.

A mechanically sealed pump uses seal faces around a rotating shaft. A magnetic drive pump transmits power through magnetic coupling without a conventional rotating shaft seal.

A magnetic drive pump may be considered when reducing shaft-seal leakage risk is important, provided the liquid, temperature and operating conditions are suitable.

The supplier should know if the liquid is:

• Corrosive
• Toxic
• Flammable
• Expensive
• Required to remain contained

9. What Materials Are Required?

If your company or industry requires a specific pump material, state it in the inquiry.

Material requirements may apply to:

• Pump casing
• Impeller
• Shaft
• Bearings
• Mechanical seal faces
• Gaskets and elastomers
• Containment shell

If the required material is unknown, provide the complete liquid and temperature information so compatibility can be evaluated.

10. What Connections Are Required?

Provide the inlet and outlet connection details:

• Connection size
• Threaded or flanged connection
• Thread standard
• Flange standard
• Installation orientation
• Available installation space

Do not assume that the same nominal connection size uses the same thread or flange standard in every country.

11. What Power Supply Is Available?

Electrical specifications vary by country and installation.

Confirm:

• Single-phase or three-phase power
• Voltage
• Frequency
• Required motor protection level
• Indoor or outdoor installation
• Applicable electrical standards

For example, “three-phase, 380 V, 50 Hz” is more useful than providing only the motor power.

12. What Is the Pump Application?

Describe where and how the pump will be used.

Typical applications include:

• Mold temperature controller
• Thermal oil circulation
• Hot-water circulation
• Chemical transfer
• Industrial cooling
• Welding equipment cooling
• Plastic and rubber machinery
• Food-processing equipment
• Heat exchanger circulation

Providing an equipment photo, system diagram or existing pump nameplate may help the supplier understand the requirement.

Information Needed When Replacing an Existing Pump

If the inquiry is for a replacement pump, provide:

• Existing pump manufacturer
• Complete model number
• Nameplate photo
• Motor nameplate photo
• Overall pump photo
• Inlet and outlet dimensions
• Installation dimensions
• Current operating flow and pressure
• Reason for replacement
• Problems experienced with the existing pump

A model number alone may not identify all motor, material and connection variations.

Information Needed for OEM Pump Projects

Equipment manufacturers requesting an OEM pump should also provide:

• Annual or initial order quantity
• Target equipment model
• Installation drawing
• Maximum available dimensions
• Connection orientation
• Cable or terminal requirements
• Motor and certification requirements
• Packaging requirements
• Branding or label requirements
• Testing requirements

Early technical confirmation can reduce the need for later changes.

Example of a Complete Pump Inquiry

This information allows the pump supplier to begin a meaningful technical evaluation.

Common Inquiry Mistakes

• Providing only motor power
• Providing only the pipe size
• Requesting maximum flow without required head
• Requesting maximum head without required flow
• Describing the liquid only as oil or chemical
• Providing only the normal temperature
• Ignoring viscosity and particles
• Not confirming voltage and frequency
• Sending an unclear nameplate photo
• Requesting a quotation without quantity information

Industrial Pump Selection Support from FENGHE

Fuzhou Fenghe Machinery Co., Ltd. supplies FENGHE industrial circulation pumps for mold temperature controllers, hot-water systems, thermal-oil systems and related industrial equipment.

For pump selection or a quotation, send the operating information listed in this guide. OEM and wholesale inquiries from equipment manufacturers, importers, distributors and service companies are welcome.

Website: www.fzfenghe.com
Email: info@meccpower.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a pump be selected using only motor power?

No. Motor power does not define the required flow, head, liquid compatibility or operating temperature.

What are the two most important pump performance values?

The required flow and required head must be confirmed at the same operating point on the pump performance curve.

What should I provide if I do not know the required head?

Provide the pipe diameter, pipe length, height difference, fittings, valves, filters and equipment pressure-loss information.

Why must I provide the maximum temperature?

The maximum temperature affects the pump casing, bearings, seals, gaskets, magnetic components and other internal parts.

Is a nameplate photo enough for a replacement pump?

It is helpful but may not be sufficient. Also provide pump photos, dimensions, connections, operating conditions and the reason for replacement.

What information is needed for a quotation?

Provide the liquid, temperature, flow, head, pressure, connection size, voltage, frequency, application, quantity and delivery destination.

For an accurate pump recommendation and quotation, please contact FENGHE with the pumped liquid, temperature, required flow, required head, system pressure, viscosity, particle content, connections, voltage, frequency and application.