How to select pumps for the Food Industry?

Pumps may not be the first thing you think of when considering the food industry but they are an essential part of any operating system. Food mixtures and fluids need to be moved from one part of the process to the other.

Liquids, such as freshly squeezed orange juice are generally easy to move than sausage meat but they all have their own issues; which is why you need to use a reputable supplier such as Truflo Pumps and choose the right pump for the job:

Consider Your Food Product

The wrong pump can damage your product; even if it moves it efficiently and effectively through your system.

For example a pump can easily force fruit through the pipes at too high a speed and cause the fruit to be squeezed. This is not beneficial if you are using the fruit to make whole fruit jam.

That's why it's essential to understand the type of product you are moving and what environment it needs to retain its integrity.

It is worth consulting a lab to determine viscosity (how well the food flows), it's temperature tolerance and whether it is acidic or not.

All of these factors will make a difference to the type of pump you use.

Cleanliness

Of course any part of a food production system needs to be cleaned effectively. This will ensure your product meets the relevant safety standards.

But, you don't want to take the machine apart in order to clean it effectively; this will be very time consuming.

That's why you need to choose a pump that can be easily cleaned in situ without affecting your food product. After all, if you're producing a large volume of food you may need to wash your pump and other machinery several times a day!

Know Your Pumps

Not all pumps are the same. You can get rotary lobe pumps, rotary piston, peristaltic hose and air operated double diaphragm or even a reciprocating positive displacement!

You need to know the difference between these pumps and which one suits your specific industry the best. This will help to ensure you don't choose the wrong pump for your product:

• Rotary lobe pumps generally have low flow rates.
• Double diaphragm pumps will minimize the air pressure drop.
• Progressive cavity pumps are likely to break fragile produce.
• Positive displacement pumps are great for fragile produce.

The cost of most pumps is high; you need to choose right first time this is too expensive an investment to get it wrong!

Flow Rate

The flow rate can increase the chance or even minimize the risk of damage to your produce. However, you also need to consider the rate of flow in respect of the quantity of your product you need to produce daily. This is the most likely area where you'll need to make a compromise.

That's why having the right information is so beneficial.

It is also important to consider the expected lifespan of your pump; this will affect your bottom line. The longer it lasts the better it is for your profit.