Get to grips with the terms

Bus communication

Advanced communication system that provides multiple signals via one cable to multiple valves that can both send signals and receive feedback.

Rotodynamic pump type. Most common pump type due to relatively low purchase costs and many types. Typically used for non-viscous liquids.

Also referred to as "redirect". The flow of fluid is directed (diverted) from one line to another.

Cleaning In Place (cleaning without dismantling equipment first).

An automated cleaning system used to clean the internal surfaces of process equipment - without dismantling it. Read more.

Minimum external pressure needed to prevent evaporation of a liquid.

Mass per unit volume of a liquid. Read more.

The difference between two pressures measured at different points in a system - e.g. before and after a valve, filter or pump. Read more. 

For high levels of automation, with the option of many outputs, such as alarm, counter, service monitor.

Signal consists of "1" and "0" and used directly by computers (PLC, PC). Typical a signal a micro or Hall proximity switch.

A flushed (water or similar) shaft seal with mechanical seal faces on both the pump media side and the flush side.

"Hidden" area inside equipment that is difficult to clean.

Attach the rotating seal part and "drive" it together with the rotating pump shaft.

Seal between two parts that move relative to each other.

"European Hygienic Equipment Design Group. A European non-governmental organisation for the promotion of hygienic design and food technology.

Seal design where most rotating sealing parts are outside the pumped liquid. Most common seal type.

Non-metallic sealing part. Has an elastic load characteristic.

US agency that inspects and authorises facilities.

FKM is a type of fluoroelastomer. The material is known for its high chemical resistance and temperature tolerance. Learn more.

The behaviour of fluids flowing through pipes and flow equipment.

Equipment used in flow systems. Examples are heat exchangers, pumps, valves, hoses, fittings and tank parts.

How much a fluid is in motion (agitation).

Electronic device to regulate the speed of an electric motor. Common and economical way to control pump performance.

Pressure measured by a pressure gauge in a process.

Reduction gears on the motor shaft reduce the output speed at the gear shaft. Often used for positive displacement pumps.

Good Manufacturing Practice is about ensuring controlled, hygienic and documented conditions. Learn more here.

Indicates the grain size of the coating on abrasive tools used for surface preparation.

Total vertical height that a liquid is lifted. Also referred to as height.

Unit mounted around the pump casing and filled with heating/cooling media to heat or cool pump fluid.

Space formed between rotors and casing during rotor rotation. The fluid is transferred (displaced) through the pump in this space.

Process with special requirements for cleaning. The term is typically used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Such as packed gland, typically used for industrial (non-sanitary) applications.

Mechanical pump part mounted on the pump/motor shaft. The rotating impeller (vanes) converts fluid speed to fluid pressure.

Device that shows the position of the valve plug. This can be visual at the valve or remotely via a PLC system.

Fluid pressure entering the inlet of the pump. Will affect the sealing surfaces.

Sealing design where most rotating sealing parts are inside the pumped liquid. Suitable for high pressure.

Measuring instruments to monitor, regulate and analyse physical quantities in production processes. Read more...

"Language" for communication with control system.

A device that converts an electrical signal into a pneumatic signal. Used for air control in an automatic control valve.

Volume of fluid passing a certain area per unit of time.

Occurs when the fluid pressure in the flow equipment locally drops below the vapour pressure of the fluid at actual temperature. Read more...

Hard shaft seal face material.

Standardised shaft seal brand/type to suit different pump brands/types.

Pollution. Read more.

Ensures that liquids and gases only move in one direction. It prevents the flow from running backwards and protects the process. Read more. 

Remote control and monitoring of automatic valves - typically includes valve top units (with sensors and solenoid valves) and PLC control.

Cross-contamination means that unwanted substances are transferred from one product, material or process to another. Learn more here.

Shaft seal face material, typically used in conjunction with a stainless steel, silicon carbide or tungsten carbide counterface part.

Capacity through a valve at a pressure drop of 1 bar. Read more...

Flow behaviour that occurs at relatively low speed and/or relatively high viscosity.

Air pressure unit to operate piston and diaphragm pumps.

Dynamic seal/gasket that seals between a stationary part (housing, cover etc.) and a moving spindle/shaft.

Lip seal design that both keeps fluid inside the valve and also scrapes/cleans the valve stem and keeps dirt from the atmosphere out.

Gap between upper and lower plugs on a mixproof valve - ensures leakage stays in the chamber and is discharged through a leakage outlet.

Shaft seal where sealing surfaces (sealing interface) consist of a stationary and a rotating mechanical seal part.

Positive displacement pump type driven by air pressure.

Liquid dripping during valve opening.

Safe separation of two intersecting "hostile" fluids.

Valves with safe separation of two crossing "hostile" fluids.

Actual motor speed at full load.

Nand Positive Suction Head. A measure of the pressure a fluid experiences on the suction side of a centrifugal pump.

Available suction pressure at actual process conditions.

Required minimum pressure in the suction line to avoid cavitation.

Also referred to as "redirect". The flow of fluid is directed (diverted) from one line to another.

Current developed by the motor when connected to rated voltage, frequency and phases.

Indicates the surface finish of the steel.

Combination of laminar and turbulent flow behaviour.

Positive inlet pressure/head.

Pressure measured by a pressure gauge in a process.

Non-mechanical shaft seal, typically used for industrial/non-sanitary type applications.

A peristaltic pump transports fluid by squeezing a flexible hose together in a rhythmic motion. Learn more here.

Programmable Logic Controller. Used for alarm, start/stop, communication, sequence operation, etc.

Intersection of pump curve and process curve.

Something that is powered or controlled by pressurised air or gas. Read more. 

Control device mounted on an automatic control valve - controls the position of the valve plug based on electrical or air signals.

Indicates "mean value of absolute deviation from centre line (mean value of roughness)". Measured in microns (μm).

The plug seal is located on the outer diameter of the plug. The outer seal diameter seals against the inner diameter of the valve seat.

Used in applications where the process requires regulation of flow, pressure or temperature.

Calculated value to determine the flow type (laminar, turbulent or transitional).

The science of fluid behaviour.

Displacement pump type with two counter-rotating motors, usually driven by an electric motor.

Mechanical part in a pump that transfers (displaces) fluid from the inlet of the pump casing to its outlet and builds up fluid pressure during rotation.

Metal alloy mostly made of iron (Fe), with the main alloying elements being chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni).

Device that detects the actuator's spindle movement and sends a feedback signal to a PLC (computer).

Movement/agitation of a fluid.

Device mounted on the front of the housing to relieve any excess fluid pressure to avoid pump and/or process damage.

Hard shaft sealing face material used for stationary and rotating sealing faces.

Steam In Place (steaming without dismantling equipment first).

Displacement pump type driven by an electric motor.

Pump shaft seal that is cleaned and/or cooled by e.g. water.

External (water or similar) flushing arrangement typically used to cool or clean the sealing surfaces.

Particle fluid that has a polishing effect on surfaces. This can wear down materials and surfaces.

Screw pumps are designed to transport viscous or sensitive fluids with high precision and minimal pulsation. Learn more here.

Electric on/off valve for air supply to an actuator.

The relationship between a liquid density and the density of water.

No spillage (liquid dripping) during valve opening.

Sealing between two stationary parts.

Stationary part (housing) of a screw pump. Is a counterpart to a rotor that transfers fluid and builds up fluid pressure.

Stationary part (housing) of a motor. Creates a rotating magnetic field that rotates the rotor.

Positive displacement pump type driven by air

Negative inlet head/pressure.

Area inside equipment with liquid residue that cannot drain out (automatically removed).

Used for mixproof valve. The valve plug is lifted during cleaning to enable in-line cleaning of the valve seat and valve plug.

One type of control valves - ensures stable and accurate adjustment of media, water, gases, steam and aggressive media.

Device for mounting on top of a valve/actuator. Used to control the valve and provide feedback to the PLC.

A quick coupling consisting of two ferrules, a gasket and a clamp. Read more.

Power per unit area.

Difference between inlet and outlet pressure. Pressure at which a fluid leaves the flow equipment.

Results of friction losses in pipe and flow equipment.

Pressure by which a fluid enters flow equipment.

Pressure by which a fluid enters flow equipment.

Component that reduces and stabilises pressure in piping systems.

Result of changes in fluid velocity.

Results of friction losses in pipe and flow equipment.

Pressure at which a fluid leaves the flow equipment.

Most common flow type in practice due to relatively high process speeds.

When there is no pumped fluid between the sealing surfaces. Quickly wears out the sealing surfaces due to excessive heat.

Current developed by the motor when connected to rated voltage, frequency and phases.

Pressure below atmospheric pressure.

Knocking noise caused by a valve plug hammering against a valve seat.

An automatic valve that removes condensate (water) from steam systems without letting steam escape. Read more.

A technical component that enables the transfer of heat between two media - typically liquids or gases - without them mixing. Read more.

Valves specifically designed for applications in hygienic process environments to ensure safe and reliable production.

Assembly of multiple valves, typically welded tightly together and mounted on a frame.

Indicates how "thick" or "thin" a liquid is. Read more...

Liquids/media (non-solid and non-gas) processed in flow systems.

A layer of pumped fluid between the shaft sealing surfaces - cools and lubricates the surfaces to prevent them from burning down due to friction.

Rotodynamic pump type (centrifugal pump), but with a special impeller/housing design so it can pump aerated liquids (CIP) back.

Hard shaft sealing face material used for stationary and rotating sealing faces.