When Are Inline (Pipeline) Centrifugal Pumps Not Suitable for Pharmaceutical Applications?

Inline (pipeline) centrifugal pumps are widely used in pharmaceutical plants for their compact layout, stable flow, and ease of maintenance. However, they are not a universal solution. In certain pharmaceutical processes, using an inline centrifugal pump may lead to inefficiency, higher maintenance, or even product risk.

Below are the main situations where inline centrifugal pumps are not recommended.

1. High-Viscosity or Non-Newtonian Fluids

Inline centrifugal pumps perform best with low-viscosity liquids.

They are not suitable for:

Syrups, suspensions, gels

High-concentration intermediates

Fluids with strong shear sensitivity

In these cases, flow efficiency drops sharply and heat generation may affect product stability. Positive displacement pumps (such as lobe or screw pumps) are usually a better choice.

2. Fluids Containing Solid Particles or Crystals

Pharmaceutical processes involving:

Crystallizing solutions

Suspended solids

Undissolved powders

can cause impeller wear, imbalance, or blockage. Inline centrifugal pumps are designed for clean or nearly clean liquids, not particle-laden media.

3. Applications Requiring Precise Dosing or Low Flow Rates

Inline centrifugal pumps are designed for continuous flow, not precision dosing.

They are not ideal for:

Accurate API dosing

Micro-flow chemical addition

Batch formulation with strict ratio control

In such scenarios, metering pumps provide far better accuracy and control.

4. Shear-Sensitive Pharmaceutical Products

Some biological or specialty pharmaceutical fluids can be damaged by shear forces.

Centrifugal pumps inherently generate shear due to high impeller speed, which may:

Affect product consistency

Reduce bioactivity

Alter molecular structure

Low-shear pump designs are preferred for these applications.

5. Strict Hygienic or Sterile Requirements Without CIP Optimization

While inline centrifugal pumps can be used in hygienic systems, standard industrial designs may not be suitable when:

Full drainability is required

Dead-leg free design is mandatory

Frequent CIP/SIP cycles are involved

Without proper sanitary configuration, cleaning effectiveness may be compromised.

Practical Selection Insight

Inline centrifugal pumps are excellent for stable, continuous transfer of clean, low-viscosity pharmaceutical liquids, such as purified water, buffer circulation, and general process transfer.

However, proper pump selection must always be based on actual process conditions, not just installation convenience.

In real pharmaceutical projects, manufacturers like Shanghai Shangcheng Pump & Valve typically evaluate fluid properties, process flow, and hygiene requirements before recommending whether an inline centrifugal pump is truly suitable.

Conclusion

Inline centrifugal pumps are reliable and widely used in pharmaceutical plants—but only within the right boundaries.

Knowing when not to use them is just as important as knowing their advantages.

Choosing the right pump type from the start can significantly reduce operational risk, maintenance cost, and quality issues in pharmaceutical production.