ApplicationNote: 0112

Gregg E. Johnson, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Fluid Handling, Barrington, IL, USA.

Key Words

Peristaltic Pumps•

Tubing Pumps•

Installation•

Pump Siting•

Pump Stacking•

Calibration •Cylinders

Pulse Dampeners•

Press Release •Valves

Gore•

Best Installation Practices For Thermo Scientific FH Series Pumps

The proper installation and operation of FH series pumping systems improves end-product or batch quality, reduces tubing costs, eliminates waste and lowers maintenance costs.

Selecting a Thermo Scientific Fluid Handling (FH) series pump for a laboratory/life-science application is an excellent decision because this peristaltic pumping system provides a number of important advantages for users. The proper installation of the pump is also highly important because this improves end-product or batch quality, reduces tubing costs, eliminates waste and lowers maintenance costs. Implementing FH series best pump installation practices can deliver a positive payback. Here are important installation practices that should be employed—

FH series pumps can be stacked by •placing one unit on top of the other, but it is recommended that no more than 3 units be stacked.

When stacked, the pumps should •be located where the surrounding temperature does not exceed 40°C (104°F).

To achieve 4 bar and 7 bar pressures •using an FH series pumping system, we recommend the use of FH100X pump system with thick-wall tubing. We also recommend Gore® High Resilience (HRT) Tube Elements for high pressure applications.

Although the FH series pump is •self priming and provides excellent suction lift (maximum suction lift is 8.8 m/29 ft H2O), whenever possible, locate the pump at or just below the level of the fluid to be pumped to ensure flooded suction and maximum pumping efficiency.

Open all valves in the process flow •before operating the pump. It is recommended that a pressure relief device be installed between the pump and any valve on the discharge side of the pump.

Keep the tubing as short as possible •(but ideally not shorter than 1m) because it represents extra volume that acts as “dead space” in the system where mixing occurs. Excess tubing can also cause unnecessary system pressure.

Take every precaution to prevent •foreign particulate and harsh solutions from accumulating on the pump.

Use large radius tubing bends of at •least four times the tubing diameter to avoid swirl and velocity profile distortion in the pipeline and also pressure changes.

Implementing best installation practices for FH series pumps can deliver a positive payback.

Before operating the FH series •peristaltic pump, familiarize yourself with the function and action of the pump.

The pump should be located in a •clean and dry area and mounted on a flat level surface, free from excessive vibration.

Ensure the location choice is •protected from direct or indirect moisture contact.

The pump should be located where •there is adequate airflow around the pump and ambient temperature does not exceed 40C (104°F).

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All connecting pipework and •fittings must be suitably rated for the application’s predicted pipeline pressure.

Use suction and delivery pipes equal •to or greater than the bore of the tube in the pump head. Avoid lengths of tubing with smaller bore than that of the pump head section, especially in pipelines on the suction side. Also avoid the use of pipe reducers.

For handling viscous materials, •choose a larger size tubing than required to pump water. Refer to table in Application Note 0110 to help you choose the best size for your application.

For handling viscous materials, •slow down the speed of the pump.Increasing the speed beyond a certain point will not have any effect on flow rate. The maximum efficient speed of the pump decreases as viscosity increases and tubing size decreases. Refer to Application Note 0110 for more information regarding handling viscous materials. Refer to table in Application Note 0110 for more information on handling viscous materials.

To minimise impulse losses and •pulsation in the pipeline, at least 1m of smooth bore flexible tubing should be connected to the inlet and discharge port of the pump head.

When handling abrasive liquids and •slurries, selecting a larger tubing size will reduce the rate that particles come into contact with the tubing wall. Soft particles should have an inside diameter (ID) less than 25% of the ID of the tubing. Hard particles should be even smaller in relation to the ID of the tubing (less than 5%). For more information on handling abrasive materials, refer to Application Note 0109.

The accuracy of product delivery by •the FH series pump is dependent on the pump being accurately calibrated. It is recommended that the pump be calibrated periodically to maintain accuracy, as well as the first time the pump is installed and used; any time a pump tube is changed; and any time a new fluid is used in the pump.

The FH line of integral pumping systems includes a pump model, a dispenser model, and a multi-channel model.

Accessories Our peristaltic pump accessories are designed to give you all the necessary equipment support needed to operate and use your FH series pump. The following is a brief list of the accessories available. A complete list of pump accessories is available online at www.thermo.com/fluid handling.

Calibration Cylinders – Given the large variety of fluids being pumped, with varying viscosities and specific gravities, and the wide differences in suction conditions on the pump and discharge piping, it is important that each application requires individual calibration. The use of a calibration cylinder is an excellent way to periodically check the performance and accuracy of your FH series pump.

liqui-sense emergenCy Cut-off system – Monitor fluid-handling systems for leaks, fluid level, and flow 24 hours a day. The Liqui-Sense will trigger a back-up pump in the event of primary pump failure. Sensor options include leak detection, level switch, and out-of-liquid detection.

Pulse damPeners – A pulse dampener reduces pulsation in the output flow from your FH series pump.

Pressure release ValVes – It is recommended that a pressure relief device be installed between the pump and any valve on the discharge side of the pump. Always install the pressure relief valve in the line closest to the discharge of the pump and ensure that there are no isolation valves or components capable of closing the discharge line off prior to the relief valve.

Typical Installation