Author Topic: really beginning to doubt closed impeller pumps (Read 3515 times)

julianf · « **on:** July 12, 2015, 07:26:30 PM »

My first 4 bio pumps were those leo tam style ones. Open impeller.

The only one that ever got blocked was when i added some improperly mixed methoxide, and it all went to a hard lump in the impeller housing.

Im still using one of them but the other three leak badly.

Anyhow, i swapped to multistage grunfoss, in the hopes of getting better venturi performance.

Real nice pumps. Only small (50lpm) but stainless impellers - even the paint seems bio proof. Closed impeller.

One blocked, so i swapped to the other. That blocked in time, so i cleaned out the first one.
That blocked again.

So i swapped to a jgs 110 - closed impeller.

That's just blocked. So ive swapped to the tam 105, courtesy of Arash (BBB), and thats turning over the batch.

Anyhow, to cut to the point -

4 leo pumps. One blocks through major fault of mine.
2 grundfoss. Both block. I clean one, and it reblocks,
1 jgs. Blocks after about 5 batches.

I think im too slapdash for closed impeller pumps. Im now on the lookout for an open impeller of about 100lpm ish.

If any of you pumpophiles spot one on ebay, let me know, would you?

Bio-boy · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2015, 07:42:18 PM »

You need a Pedrollo Pro-NGA that will sort it!

Jamesrl · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2015, 08:36:11 PM »

I've used closed impellers from day one without issue except for when I cockup which is usually me leaving glyc drain down too long.

I reckon it's only happened 3 or 4 times in 9yrs.

dgs · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2015, 08:41:12 PM »

The 100lpm yellow and black thing I used a while ago was always partially blocking, it was a bl..dy nightmare. The tam 120 (closed impeller) has never blocked, no matter how cold or how much glyc is in there for a pre wash.

Julian · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2015, 08:55:29 PM »

Frankinpump, my TAM 120 has never blocked either.

But I do take care in filtering and settling my feed stock.

If I have glycerin that's semi-solidified over night, I'll use the Mono to get it moving.

Have I ever mentioned how good Monos are?

Tony · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2015, 09:02:06 PM »

Do occasionally get a blockage on my closed impeller pump, but not often. I do settle and course filter my oil before use so usually nothing to cause blocking.

nigelb · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2015, 10:14:46 PM »

Julian...you need to improve your filtering when using closed impellor pumps. I rough filter through a sieve and then that gets filetred again through a fine 200micron stainless steel filter sheet held in a wooden frame. The only blockages I get now are from the paint that was on the insde of the reactor when I had Jim make one for me. Those white paint coated jobbies are a right royal pain in the ass.

dgs · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2015, 10:23:49 PM »

Quote from: Julian on July 12, 2015, 08:55:29 PM

Frankinpump, my TAM 120 has never blocked either.

But I do take care in filtering and settling my feed stock.

If I have glycerin that's semi-solidified over night, I'll use the Mono to get it moving.

Have I ever mentioned how good Monos are?

No, not to my knowledge. please tell us Julian. Ah, I'm with you now, a progressive cavity pump.

Head Womble · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2015, 10:31:51 PM »

I too used to suffer from blocking my closed impeller pump (jgs 110),
but since I started using 400mc filer bags in my feed drum the only time it's blocked up is when I disturb the heating element (I take it out now and again to remove BCB buildup and some of the BCB's fall off and end up in the pump).

Filter your oil before adding to the reactor and all is well.

julianf · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2015, 11:02:35 PM »

I know where the contamination gets introduced, and I'm not, at this point in time, able to resolve it.

So, can anyone recommend any open impeller pumps of that sort of capacity that come up on the cheap? I think Jules' calep... (can never remember the name) is about 90lpm and open impeller.

julesandtash · « **Reply #10 on:** July 13, 2015, 06:34:03 AM »

My Calpeda CM22E is 110lpm and open impeller and, according to the spec, will handle solids up to 4mm.
I certainly have not blocked it and do nothing to my oil except pass through a catering sieve (and I dont do that with the palm oil).
They are serious money new but do come up on eBay

Here is a link to the one I have

http://www.e-pumps.co.uk/calpeda-cm-22e-centrifugal-pump-with-open-impeller-2898-p.asp

Bio-boy · « **Reply #11 on:** July 13, 2015, 03:56:30 PM »

Quote from: julesandtash on July 13, 2015, 06:34:03 AM

My Calpeda CM22E is 110lpm and open impeller and, according to the spec, will handle solids up to 4mm.
I certainly have not blocked it and do nothing to my oil except pass through a catering sieve (and I dont do that with the palm oil).
They are serious money new but do come up on eBay

Here is a link to the one I have

http://www.e-pumps.co.uk/calpeda-cm-22e-centrifugal-pump-with-open-impeller-2898-p.asp

Similar to my Pedrollo. It will handle 10mm solids and flows unto 325L/min.

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really beginning to doubt closed impeller pumps