• Home
  • Fact or Fiction? This Information about Pharmaceutical Pumps Might Surprise You
TPE November 8, 2018 0 Comments

Fact or Fiction? This Information about Pharmaceutical Pumps Might Surprise You

1. Fact or Fiction?: Pharmaceutical manufacturing is a niche market, and so there are relatively few pharmaceutical pumps to choose from.

Fiction. In the world of pumps, there are an overwhelming number of choices. While pharmaceutical pumps represent a fraction of all the pumps available, the choices are still plentiful. There are about 8 major styles of pumps used in pharmaceutical manufacturing:

  • Lobe
  • Progressive cavity
  • Double screw pump
  • Peristaltic
  • Air operated double diaphragm
  • Quaternary diaphragm
  • Piston
  • Centrifugal

Multiply the number of pump styles by an extensive number of pump manufacturers who each have numerous models in their product line-up, and the selection of choices grows exponentially. For instance, just one major biopharmaceutical pump manufacturer of just one kind of pump includes 18 different pumps in its product portfolio.

2. Fact or Fiction?: Some pumps used in pharmaceutical applications are more widely known for their performance in industrial settings.

Fact. For example, air operated double diaphragm and centrifugal pumps are particularly known for their work in waste water, pulp and paper and chemical applications. They are also frequently used in food, beverage and dairy processing. As a result, their value in pharmaceutical applications may not always be marketed in an obvious manner.

3. Fact or Fiction?: Energy consumption and equipment footprint are strong indicators of a pump’s value.

Fiction. A pump’s performance capabilities should be the key driver in selecting processing equipment that will deliver a strong value for the investment. Energy consumption and pump size are essentially pre-determined by the pump’s performance capabilities. Therefore, they aren’t genuine representations of the pump’s real value.

4. Fact or Fiction?: There are few disadvantages to pump research, selection and acquisition that is self-guided.

We used our “phone a friend” on this one, and our answer is “Fact-ion.” Here’s the thing: the way people research and buy goods and services is changing. And that’s even true in the highly technical world of pumps. But, it IS a HIGHLY TECHNICAL world. In our experience, self-guided pump research benefits our customers the most prior to ­– and during – discussions with process equipment representatives. It raises the level of dialogue possible, and encourages an outcome where the correct product solution was identified and placed into production.

To continue increasing your knowledge base about pharmaceutical pumps, we invite you to download our Quick Reference Guide ­– An Overview of Pharmaceutical Pump Types, Capabilities and Differentiators.