At a time of global uncertainty Cat Pumps' products, as well as its design and engineering services, are in big demand. "We are finding that customers are relying on their pump suppliers to provide expertise and consultation on specification, installation and systems design," reports Brian Hubbard, Cat Pumps' UK general manager.
"The trend is towards customers asking for complete pump packages, not just components (bare shaft pumps). This is where we are growing business; customers see that we are the experts, have the design capabilities and offer warranties on complete packages. There is also the added benefit for the customer of only having to deal with one supplier and having just one invoice to pay.
"Cat Pumps have a diverse range of end-user applications, which gives us a customer base that many other pump companies are unable to serve. At a time when commentators in the national media are talking down the UK manufacturing economy, we are experiencing unprecedented demand for our pumps and support facilities both from OEMs and end users. The high quality of our components and field-proven dependability are making Cat Pumps the first choice where continuous-duty performance and low maintenance are priorities."
The technology
The Cat Pumps brand is recognised globally and it is often used as a generic name to describe the reciprocating positivedisplacement type pump. The pumps are of the triplex reciprocating positive displacement type and are capable of generating high pressures, typically between 7 and 480bar (100 to 7,000psi). Recognised for their reliable operation, Cat Pumps are found in many situations where other pump types are unsuitable. Industries where Cat Pumps triplex units have an established operating base include: food production and processing; road and rail transport; chemicals and pharmaceuticals; metalworking; manufacturing; steel production; power generation; oil and gas; construction; quarrying; agriculture; fisheries; paper; and re-cycling.
A positive-displacement pump is one that takes in a fixed volume of liquid on each inlet stroke and physically moves it through and out of the pump with virtually no losses or inefficiencies. This contrasts with a roto-dynamic pump (centrifugal, for example), which relies on inertia to impart flow, or a rotary (semi-) positive pump (vane or gear, for example), which can lose flow though internal clearances.
Cat Pumps' triplex pumps contain three synchronised pistons or plunger, which produce a low pulsation flow that is sufficiently smooth for most applications. The flow is highly stable and predictable because the flow rate is determined almost exactly by the running speed of the pump and is virtually unaffected by back-pressure, liquid viscosity or specific gravity.
Pumping low to medium viscosity liquids, which have little or no inherent lubricity and cannot be pumped using a rotary positive or axial-piston pump, is Cat Pumps' area of specialisation. Duties include handling all purities of water including mains (town) water, de-ionised, demineralised and ultra-pure water as well as seawater and reclaimed process water, together with highly aggressive chemicals, solvents, oils, solutions and liquefied gases. Cat Pumps' commitment extends to the design and provision of variants for new and specialist applications, employing exotic materials to match customers' requirements.
Recognising the importance of its pumps to the effectiveness of the plant or systems into which they are installed, Cat Pumps has the global resources to assist with design, application, installation, operation and servicing requirements. This is supported with an extensive inventory of pumps, installation accessories and spare parts, enabling the company to fulfil most orders from stock on next-day or timed deliveries.