Many companies use high pressure pumps education and training to increase their business' productivity. An employee that knows how to operate and repair a high pressure pump keeps production running with little to no downtime. General maintenance on most high pressure pumps cuts repair time and costs in half. Any company that uses or sells high pressure pumps will find the training both beneficial and informative.

Companies use three ways to train employees in high pressure pumps. Many professional seminars and training courses are available that focus on different brands of high pressure pumps. Some manufacturers offer high pressure pumps education and training for their customers. Free online help and troubleshooting information is also available for quick and easy answers whenever you have the need and the Internet access.

1. Attend training seminars for high pressure pumps.

2. Contact manufacturers that provide training about their high pressure pumps.

3. Read online troubleshooting guides for high pressure pumps.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate training seminars for high pressure pumps

Training seminars provide your employees a chance to be educated by professionals in a classroom setting. Many of the seminars offer more than just handouts and slideshows. They provide hands-on training from experts in the pumps industry. These seminars are available for both safety and operations, depending on your company's needs.

I recommend: CAT PUMPS provides training seminars for a high pressure fuel pump and a high pressure hand pump. Attend a three-day Flow of Fluids training seminar for high pressure water pumps. Visit TrainUp.com to find seminars on operating a high pressure air pump.

Find manufacturers that provide training about their high pressure pumps

Many manufactures provide training for their customers. These training sessions are designed to help your employees learn everything they need to know to operate and repair your high pressure pumps. If your manufacturer is not listed here, contact them directly and ask if they offer any training opportunities.

I recommend: Visit US Jetting to find training classes about their high pressure centrifugal pumps. Receive BLUEline Equipment Supreme technician training in a three-day course that covers the BLUEline Equipment high pressure gas pump process and their diesel high pressure oil pump.

Find online troubleshooting guides about high pressure pumps

Online guides can help diagnose and repair general problems that arise with your high pressure pump. These guides are normally generic and apply to many brands of pumps, but they are often a good starting point when trying to locate the problem with your high pressure pumps.

I recommend: American Honda Motor provides troubleshooting guides for their high pressure pumps. Beckwith & Kuffel supplies troubleshooting guides for high pressure centrifugal pumps. Find troubleshooting tips for a high pressure CO2 pump at Insider Secrets to Hydraulics.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Set up a regular maintenance schedule for your pumps. This keeps the pumps running smoother for longer periods of time. It also cuts down on large repair jobs because you catch smaller problems before they become big maintenance issues.

The great thing about high pressure pumps is that they often feature metered control. Many quality pumps designed for industrial situations will move air or liquid at a smooth, even pace. Other pumps, like a high pressure hand pump, can get the job done without metered control. High pressure pumps are used in the home, in the factory and even in automobiles. High pressure water pumps, for instance, are used to operate boilers; high pressure centrifugal pumps are used as bilge pumps on boats.

Whether you're looking for a high pressure air pump, high pressure fuel pump or high pressure oil pump, there are many features available. Depending on the model, a high pressure pump may be programmable or come with a timer, flow rate display, stop function, multi-function valves and other features.

Consider the following before you buy a high pressure pump:

1. Output flow rate, measured in milliliters, liters, quarts or gallons per minute or hour;

2. Output pressure, measured in pounds per square inch;

3. Applicable substances, as corrosive liquids require corrosion-resistant high pressure pumps.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know what you need from a high pressure pump

High pressure pumps are designed to work effectively only when you use them as the manufacturer intended, so know what your job requires. The difference between a high-pressure heat pump and a pitcher-type high pressure hand pump is clear. However, if you take the time to look at the finer parameters of a high pressure pump, you can be as precise as possible when when it comes time to select the right one.

I recommend: Sometimes choosing the right hand pump is easy, but a look at the "Pump Application Guide" from Gould Pumps gets you deep into the details that apply to more particular applications.

Find the right source for the type of high pressure pumps you need

The uses of high pressure pumps are almost limitless, and so are the options available. Check out the right high pressure pump manufacturers for the type of product you need.

I recommend: The closest you'll come to a one stop shopping source is Grainger. Look there for almost any type of pump, but especially for a high pressure fuel pump or high pressure oil pump. You can even get a high pressure bicycle pump and nearly any type of high pressure air pump. King Pumps specializes in high pressure water pumps. Eldex Optos is your source for pumps at the extreme end of the pressure range, carrying models up to 6000 psi. For hydraulic pumps, check out Work.com's "Guide to Hydraulic Pumps."

Maintain your high pressure pumps

A small investment in maintenance and repair can prevent pump failure, saving you big bucks.

I recommend: Goulds Pumps and McNally Institute provide resources on pump maintenance. However, the best resource for your pump is the manual that came with it. Play close attention to the this information during installation and keep it on hand for future reference.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use a consumer-safe grease to maintain high pressure water supply pumps.
• •  Keep your pumps on a regular maintenance schedule to get the most out of your investment.

Today, high pressure pumps find applications in various industries, including chemical, paint, food processing, automobile, electronics and construction industries. These pumps are useful for operating boilers and even as bilge pumps on boats.

While interacting with pump manufacturers or suppliers, you will need to be conversant with the technical terms that state the specifications and types of high pressure pumps. This guide intends to familiarize you with the key terms of high pressure pumps, such as viscosity, pump head, NPSH, pH, pump actuators, BEP flow and PSI.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Viscosity

Viscosity of the fluid is an important parameter for the design and performance of a high pressure pump. Viscosity indicates the resistance of the fluid to flow. The more viscous the liquid, the lower its flowing rate will be.

I recommend: To understand the meaning of viscosity and its units, read through information at STLE (Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers). Additionally, Eaton Corporation offers a hydraulics glossary explaining various terms, including viscosity.

Pump head

When a high pressure pump operates, the liquid moves rapidly inside the pump. The force of this moving liquid exerts tremendous pressure. This pressure, measured in feet, is pump head.

I recommend: You can read through basic information on pump head at impeller.net. PlumberSurplus.com, a supplier of valves, water heaters and pumps, also provides detailed information about pump head and its various types.

NPSH (Net Positive Suction Head)

NPSH is defined as the absolute pressure of a fluid at the pump inlet minus the vapor pressure of the liquid.

I recommend: The Engineering ToolBox, an informative website, provides detailed information about NPSH.

pH

pH of the system fluid is an important consideration in the selection of materials for a high pressure pump. pH is the measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution.

I recommend: To learn more about pH, you can refer to the Utah State University Cooperative Extension, an informative website by the Utah State University.

Pump actuators

Pump actuators are the mechanical devices that activate the movement of a pump powered by electric signals. The actuators control the flow of fuel into the engine by controlling the movement of the valve to let the fuel in.

I recommend: You can find information about the working of an actuator and its applications at Network Liquidators, a supplier of industrial products.

PSI (Pound per Square Inch)

PSI is the unit of pressure resulting from a force of one pound to an area of one square-inch.

I recommend: SensorsONE Ltd, a knowledgeable resource for pressure monitoring instrumentation, provides the explanation for the term PSI.

High pressure centrifugal pumps

A centrifugal pump is a pumping device that works on the simple principle of centrifugal force. A high pressure centrifugal pump is used for applications that require high discharge pressure.

I recommend: You can read through basic information on centrifugal pumps and high pressure centrifugal pumps at Pump World and Pumps-in-Stock.

High pressure screw pump

A screw pump has an internal mechanism shaped like a screw that is used to create the vacuum action. High pressure screw pumps are designed to be fully immersed in a fluid during operation. It's important to never run a high pressure pump without liquid.

I recommend: GlobalSpec provides detailed information about screw pumps. You can also refer to Pumps & Systems, a magazine for the pump and rotating equipment industry.