Some materials flow but others are a lot more sticky and simply don’t flow.
These High Viscosity materials can be a problem for Manufacturers and Processors in the Food, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries..
About Viscous Pumping Systems for High Viscosity Materials:
Generally, fluids are classified into four main groups:
NEWTONIAN
Typical Newtonian fluids:
• water
• mineral oils
• alcohol
• hydrocarbons
PSEUDOPLASTIC
.Typical pseudoplastic fluids:
• tomato paste
• latex paints
• lotions
DILATANT
Viscosity of fluid increases with agitation
Typical dilatant fluids:
• slurries
• clay
• cream
• butter
THIXOTROPIC
Like pseudoplastic fluids, viscosity decreases as shear rate or agitation increases.
Typical thixotropic liquids:
• soaps
• tars
• shortening
• glue
• inks
• peanut butter
Viscosity is essentially resistance to flow and this has implications for pumps. If you have a high-viscosity, sticky fluid on your hands, it clings and it’s much harder to remove than a low-viscosity fluid.
It is the same in a pump, where you use impellers instead of your hands, to move the fluid. If you are pumping fluids like motor oil that stick to the surface of the impeller, this is a problem that needs to be considered.
SO WHAT’S NEXT?
If you need help with your pump selection, please contact us at: https://www.kecol.co.uk
