09/28/2026
Let's fight 🤺
1. Pumps aren't the source of oxygen pickup.
A lot of people blame the pump for oxygen pickup, but a pump simply moves what it receives.
If air is detected downstream, it likely entered before the pump through suction-side leaks, inadequate purging, etc.
The discharge side is typically under positive pressure, so damaged fittings or gaskets there will usually leak liquid out, not pull air in.
www.cpesystems.com/blogs/support/pumps-dont-introduce-oxygen
2. Your PHE still needs manual inspection and cleaning.
CIP and backflushing are important, but they don’t replace periodic inspection.
After 3 months of use, inspect and clean the heat exchanger to confirm your CIP process is working properly. After that, annual inspections should typically be sufficient.
If you're brave, check out our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/7324WMknSM4?si=EBPGdnxMobrelHRh
3. Swivel joints > standard Tri-clamps on racking arms.
Standard Tri-Clamps can have gaskets pop out or ferrules become misaligned. On a full tank, readjusting a Tri-Clamp under pressure can be risky. Properly fixing it means removing the clamp entirely, which isn't practical with a full tank.
Swivel joints use a Teflon collar that lets the connection move while staying clamped, making it easier to adjust racking arms or flow panels without fighting the connection.
4. turbine flow meters can be used in food & beverage processing.
Not 3-A rated? That doesn’t automatically mean it can’t be used in food & beverage processing. 3-A is a hygienic design and cleanability standard, not a synonym for “food safe.”
The real questions are wetted materials, product compatibility, temperature, and cleaning requirements.
The G2 uses PVDF, 316 stainless steel, ceramic, and tungsten carbide in its wetted construction. These are suitable for many common processing fluids under specified conditions.
The temperature range can be a concern, as the standard G2 is rated to 54°C (129°F). However, there is a high-temperature G2 configuration rated up to 85°C (185°F).
5. it's okay to evolve past old solutions.
Remember the squeeze-clamp debate?
“If you can’t flip a Tri-Clamp, get out!”
But there’s value in simpler solutions that make equipment easier and safer to operate, especially for the next generation of operators.
Tradition matters. So does innovation.
6. do not put a 90° elbow or tee right at a pump inlet.
This is a quick way to create poor suction conditions.
A 90° elbow immediately upstream of the pump can disturb the flow, creating uneven velocity distribution, and contributing to pressure losses and cavitation.
7. You need a solid PM plan.
Preventative maintenance isn’t just about keeping equipment running. It’s about catching problems before they become production problems.
A good PM program can help prevent contamination, downtime, product loss, etc.
We said what we said 🫳🎤
hills I will die on | sanitary design | PHE maintenance | HX | brewery | distillery | w**emaking | food processing | copacking | industrial equipment | food grade equipment
