Self-priming pumps are a widely used model for wastewater treatment, suction and pumping of sandy or quarry waters or transfering and dosing of fluids in the chemical or food industry. Their low maintenance cost is one of the great advantages of these industrial pumps, although, like any equipment, they require some basic measures to ensure optimal operation. In this small guide we tell you all the keys to take into account to achieve it.

Self-priming pumps for industrial uses

What differentiates self-priming pumps from other industrial pumps models? These equipments work by means of the self-priming principle, which allows once the fluid enters the pump body, it is activated immediately, without the presence of air being a problem.

Within the industrial field, the most popular self-priming pumps today are peristaltic pumps and self-priming centrifugal pumps. The latter are a very suitable model for the suction and pumping of water at great depths, for example.Peristaltic pumps, like you can find in Boyser, meanwhile, stand out for their versatility, with countless applications in the chemical and cosmetics industry, oenology or the food industry, among other sectors.

Maintenance of self-priming pumps

  • To ensure a long useful life for the pump, it is essential to strictly follow the technical specifications provided by industrial pump manufacturers, without in any case exceeding its nominal pressure, speed or maximum temperature.
  • From the point of view of their operation, it is important to bear in mind that self-priming pumps are not suitable for pumping or dosing gases or solid media, although some models are capable of working with viscous fluids, containing air or particles in suspension.
  • Self-priming pumps cannot run dry and should never be activated with the discharge valve closed.
  • The rollers and tubes of the self-priming pumps are factory lubricated, so we simply have to check their state taking into account the number of hours of operation indicated by the manufacturer. In the case of the gearbox, lubrication is normally permanent, although in some models it may require an oil change at regular intervals, according to the maintenance manual.
  • Within peristaltic pumps designed for high pressures and high flow rates, it is necessary to ensure that the level of lubricant inside the pump body is kept at the proper level. This check can be carried out easily, using the inspection window installed in the front cover.
  • By lacking valves or mechanical seals, in hose pumps the only part susceptible to breakage or deterioration is the hose, which considerably reduces its maintenance costs compared to other industrial pumps. The hose replacement process can be done quickly and easily, as its design allows easy access to the inside of the pump body by removing the front cover.

If you are thinking of modernizing your business and you want to bet on the technology of self-priming pumps, do not hesitate to ask your peristaltic pumps manufacturer for professional advice on the most suitable model depending on the pressure, working flow and other technical specifications typical of your particular activity.