FAQs
General Questions
Q: Can you supply seals for my brand of pump, valve or tank?Q: Can you supply seals for my brand of pump, valve or tank?
A: We supply gaskets and repair parts for almost all process equipment used in fluid processing.
Q: Can you identify this gasket or valve seat?
A: Most manufacturers manufacture their products slightly differently. Therefore, just because a gasket or valve seat is "about the same size", it is not the same. As well terminology can be different and this can lead to misunderstanding of what parts are required. This can cause pumps and valves to leak and malfunction.
As well, spare parts are made of different elastomers that may look the same but are different and will wear much more quickly in different applications.
To match spare parts properly we require the make or model, and serial number to confirm the model number is correct.
We need to know what you are exposing the product to, how hot your are running your process, and what you use to clean your products.
If you have a product that is on this web site we supply full catalogues in .pdf format so you can identify the parts you require without any confusion.
Q: What information is required to size a pump?
A: In order to size a pump correctly, the following information is required:
- What is the product?
- What is the product's viscosity and specific gravity?
- What is the product temperature?
- Suction and discharge piping information including tube lengths, both horizontal and vertical lengths, fittings, valves, filters etc.
- Desired gallons or litres per minute.
- Product source and destination, ie. tank to tank transfer.
- A sketch of the layout.
Q: Where would I use a centrifugal vs. a positive displacement pump?
A: A centrifugal pump is commonly used for transferring water-like product. Some examples would be water, milk, beer and juice. The maximum centipoise (a unit to measure the thickness of a product) that a centrifugal pump can move is 1500cps or a light honey if it is very warm. A positive displacement or PD pump is commonly used for any thicker product or product that has particulates in it. Some examples would be stews, pie filling and mash potatoes. The maximum centipoise that a PD pump can move is as high as a million centipoise although most applications have product that is under 100,000cps.
There are certain exceptions to the rule above, such as the use of PD pumps for milk-like products where the pump is used for timing, for example to feed a HTST or high temperature, short time heat exchanger.
Q: Can a pump be mounted to a wall instead of the ground?
A: Yes, you can mount the a pump onto a wall. It is recommended that you mount the pump horizontally and not vertically. Vertically you risk issues of the pump not priming properly or dripping on the motor.
Q: Can a pump be installed upside down?
Q: Can a pump be installed upside down?
A: Yes, it isn't a problem to install a pump upside down on a platform like a table etc.
Specific Questions
Q: In rubber rotor recoating, what is the difference between black and red buna?Q: In rubber rotor recoating, what is the difference between black and red buna?
A: Black buna is the most common finish for rotors. Used in applications such for dairy, beverages and food. This buna is good for any product that is non-abrasive.
Red buna can be used for any of the applications that the black buna is used in. The advantage that the red buna has is that it is excellent for abrasive product. It has a harder durometer rubber than the black buna. This especially is a good choice for a rotor finish if the application has particulates that may seize metal rotors.
Q: What is the wall thickness of tubing?
A: The following chart shows the standard sizes:
| Tubing Size | Inches | Gauge | lbs per foot |
| 1/2" | 0.049 | 18 | |
| 3/4" | 0.049 | 18 | |
| 1" | 0.065 | 16 | 0.658 |
| 1.5" | 0.065 | 16 | 0.996 |
| 2" | 0.065 | 16 | 1.343 |
| 2.5" | 0.065 | 16 | 1.690 |
| 3" | 0.065 | 16 | 2.037 |
| 4" | 0.083 | 14 | 3.472 |
Q: What is the center line radius of the 90 degree elbows?
A: The CLR of our elbows is 1.5 times the outside diameter. For example 2" diameter elbow would be 3" centre line radius. For more accurate measurements, see our .pdf catalogues for drawings and dimensions.
Q: What is the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel?
A: The "300" series, as they are referred to, contain basically the same amounts of iron, nickel, and chromium1. The advantage to 316 stainless steel is it contains additional molybdenum. The additional molybdenum offers more corrosion resistance than the 304.
Q: What does the "L" mean in 316L stainless steel?
A: An important item to note is that CPE Systems carries the "300L" series. The "L" indicates about half of the carbon found in the regular "300" series. This reduces the possibility of corrosion, cracking, and pitting due to welding.
Q: What is the best kind of gasket material and what type do I need?
A: There are several different types, all with different properties that fit different applications:
- Silicone Rubber (SI) - SI provides excellent resistance to oxidizing agents, saline solutions, acid solutions, alkaline solutions, and vegetable and animal oils. SI is also good for temperatures from -80°C up to 250°C.
- Ethylene-Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber (EPDM) - EP provides excellent resistance to ozone, ultraviolet rays, and heat. As well EP has a low water absorption and good steam proof capabilities. This particular elastomer has an excellent "memory" which means that it resists permanent deformation. It is good for temperatures from -40°C to 150°C.
- Nitrile Rubber (Buna) (NBR) - Buna has a high stress resistance in regards to wear and deformation. Buna has a high resistance to petroleum derivatives, oils, and fats of all kinds. However, Buna is not recommended for applications coming into contact with aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons or polar liquids such as ketones, esters, alcohol, and mineral acids. NBR is good for temperatures ranging from -25°C up to 130°C.
- Fluoridated Rubbers (Viton) (FTM) - Viton has a good resistance to all kinds of animal oils. Viton is also extremely resistant to acid and solvent corrosion as well as a wide range of chemicals even at high temperatures. Viton is a very expensive elastomer but should provide a longer life than the other elastomers and therefore should offer savings in maintenance. Viton is good for temperatures from -15°C up to 280°C.
Q: Are digital thermometers accepted by dairy inspectors?
A: Yes, digital thermometers are 3A approved and are accepted in the dairy industry for raw or finished milk contact. The only place that a digital thermometer can not be used in the dairy industry is on their pasteurizer this is because a 1/2deg. accuracy is required and the digital thermometers have a deg. accuracy. Therefore the only thermometer accepted for pasteurizing is the mercury style.
Q: What does "3A" mean?
A: 3A approval is a set of "standards and accepted practices for equipment and systems used to process milk and milk products and other perishable foods. These standards are developed through the co-operative efforts of local, state, and federal sanitarians, equipment manufactures, and equipment users, so that they [3A standards] are acceptable to those involved in the sanitary aspects of the dairy and related food industries."
"The ultimate goal is to protect dairy and food products from contamination and to ensure all product contact surfaces can be mechanically cleaned (CIP - Cleaned-In-Place) or can be dismantled easily for manual cleaning, and when necessary, dismantled for inspection"
Q: Are butterfly valves 3A approved?
A: Butterfly valves are not 3A approved due to the fact that they can not be cleaned completely during a CIP cycle. The valve must be dismantled and the elastomer valve seat removed and manually cleaned then reassembled.
Q: What are the different levels of polish available on your fittings?
A: 150 grit or 32 Ra are the most widely used in the dairy industry.
Q: Why do we use a wave spring?
Q: Why do we use a wave spring?
A: In our C-Series and C+Series pumps, we use wave springs to provide a more uniform loading on the seal face. Unlike a traditional spiral spring, the wave spring has a flat top and bottom face. This flat surface means more even pressure around the entire circumference of the spring, which subsequently results in an even pressure distribution throughout the entire seal face, creating a flatter and more secure seal and ultimately longer seal life with less leakage.