Here are some of the most common asked questions around Gear Pumps

• Can a gear pump be used for water?

Units rely on fluids with lubricating properties such as oils, fats, paint etc. As water does not lubricate, gear pumps should not be used with water.

• Can a gear pump cavitate?

Yes, gear pumps have the potential to experience cavitation under certain conditions. Cavitation is the formation and collapse of vapor bubbles or cavities within a fluid due to rapid changes in pressure. It can occur in any pump, including gear pumps, when the pressure at the inlet of the pump drops below the vapor pressure of the fluid.

• Are gear pumps reversible?

Yes, gear pumps can generally be operated in both forward and reverse directions. The reversible nature of gear pumps allows for flexibility in fluid flow and system configurations.

When a gear pump operates in the forward direction, the fluid is drawn into the pump's inlet and transported to the outlet as the gears rotate. This is the typical operating direction for most applications.

• Are gear pumps self-priming?

Yes, Gear Pumps can self-prime up to around 8M. Gear pumps are capable of self-priming because the rotating gears evacuate air in the suction line.

• Can this pump type run dry?

No, gear pumps should not be run dry for extended periods of time. Running a gear pump without an adequate supply of fluid can cause damage to the pump and lead to premature failure.

Gear pumps rely on the presence of a liquid for lubrication and cooling of the internal components, particularly the gear teeth and bearings. Without proper lubrication, the gear teeth can experience increased friction and wear, resulting in damage to the gears and reduced pump performance.

Running a gear pump dry can also cause increased heat generation due to the lack of cooling from the fluid. This can lead to thermal expansion and distortion of the pump components, further contributing to potential damage and decreased pump efficiency.

In some cases, short periods of dry running may be unavoidable during pump start-up or when transitioning between fluids. However, it is important to minimize the duration of dry running and ensure that the pump is quickly primed with the appropriate fluid to provide lubrication and cooling.

• What viscosity can gear pumps handle?

Figures vary by model, but they can handle fluids up to around 55,000cst. gear pumps are known for their ability to handle a wide range of viscosities, making them suitable for various industrial, commercial, and process applications where precise flow control and the handling of viscous fluids are required.

• When is a bypass valve required and how do I know I need one?

An integral bypass is designed to protect the pump and system from overpressure for small periods of time. An integral bypass is only a temporary solution and cannot operate indefinitely, an additional external bypass that runs back to the fluid source tank is always recommended as a more permanent solution.

Here are a few situations where a bypass valve may be necessary:

• Overpressure Protection
• Flow Regulation
• Cold Starting or Warm-up: During system start-up or when handling temperature-sensitive fluids, a bypass valve can be used to redirect a portion of the flow back to the reservoir or source until the desired temperature is reached.

• When are heating jackets used?

Pump insulation jackets are specialized protective equipment designed to fit around industrial pumping equipment. Pumps can be fitted with heating jackets as a way of ensuring any liquid pumped maintains a set temperature which may be critical to an application.