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Whether you are looking for information about centrifugal pumps or best practices for the API Piping Plan 53C, the Pumps & Systems newsletter — Pumps Users Digest — delivers that content and more to your inbox weekly. Here are four articles that were most popular with our newsletter readers in March. And if you don’t already receive the Pump Users Digest, make sure you subscribe.

What Are the Best Practices for Ensuring Reliability of API Piping Plan 53C?
There are many methods to pressurize the barrier fluid for a dual pressurized mechanical seal. Each method, or piping plan, uses a different mechanism to apply the pressure to the barrier fluid and, as a result, each has its own set of advantages. One of these methods is American Petroleum Institute (API) Plan 53C. Although not as widely installed as a traditional API Plan 53A system, it does differentiate itself from other methods. API Plan 53C has the ability to change the barrier pressure as the pressure inside the pump changes. This pressure tracking ability makes this system ideally suited to high-pressure pumps, or for pumps that tend to experience a wide range of operating pressures.

What is the Difference Between Centrifugal & Rotodynamic Pumps?
Rotodynamic pumps are kinetic machines in which energy is continuously imparted to the pumped fluid by means of a rotating impeller, propeller or rotor. These pumps transfer mechanical energy to the fluid primarily by increasing the fluid kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is then converted into potential energy (pressure) in the discharge collector. The most common types of rotodynamic pumps are radial (centrifugal), mixed flow and axial flow (propeller) pumps, including pumps historically referred to as vertical turbine pumps.

A Review of Variable Speed Drive Technology: Part 1
To achieve true variable speed control of a centrifugal pump, this article will look at the following methods or technologies: fluid drive, eddy current drive, wound rotor motor, adjustable voltage direct current (DC), adjustable frequency alternating current (AC), magnetic drive and steam turbine. Part 1 of this article will focus on fluid drive, eddy current drive and wound rotor motor.

6 Examples of Eccentric Disc Pumps Leading to Profit Return
Product waste in hygienic manufacturing industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics has long been accepted as an unavoidable cost of doing business. The problem is that flushing or draining raw ingredients or intermediate/finished products that remain in suction and discharge piping at the end of production or during product changeovers is the same as watching money go down the drain. The key to eliminating this waste is identifying and deploying the most efficient and reliable pumping technology that can strip suction and discharge lines of still useable raw materials and saleable end products.