Strainers are usually installed preceding a pump to avoid large particles from entering the impeller. Generally, the maximum sphere size allowable in a pump is about 0.25 inches. Larger pumps permit larger particles. Consult the pump manufacturer’s literature to know the maximum sphere size of your pump model. However, industrial pump strainers are not always necessary. They are allowed and safe to be mounted when there is a chance that foreign body mixes in the piping which can damage the pump. Or when a possibility of crystallization occurs which forms when the temperature in the pump is lower than that of the temperature of liquid it handles. In selecting industrial pump strainers, the important criteria to consider include:
- Long intervals between cleaning to minimize maintenance time
- Low pressure losses during operating cycles to reduce power consumption
- Strainer’s influence on pump cavitation due to heavily loaded basket
- Strainer housing constructed with the right corrosion-resistant materials
- Correct mesh size of suction strainer in relation to the size of foreign particles
In order for the industrial pump strainers to be handled safely despite of operator’s mistakes, the following preventive measures are very necessary:
- Differential pressure gauge - this is to stop the pump by alarm shutdown when differential pressure before and behind the pump strainer exceeds the maximum pressure limits.
- Pressure gauge - it functions the same as above but only when the pump pressure is substantially lower than the minimum pressure limits.
- Valves - ideally with lock to keep it from opening when installing stop valves before and after the pump strainer for maintenance purposes.
- Another electric contacts to confirm that signal wires are not cut by the electric signals intended for alarm shutdown.
It is very important to keep in mind that accidents such as overlooking of strainer clogging, mistakenly opening the valve completely, and electric trouble may happen. So it is quite crucial to be prepared and equipped to avoid those pitfalls. We, here at Islip Flow Controls, do our best to prevent those mishaps to occur by designing and manufacturing high quality industrial pump strainers, valves and accessories. We ensure that our products are made with highest quality assurance to service various commercial and industrial sectors.