1. Identify the product: CAP, bitumen or pitch
CAP stands for Cimento Asfáltico de Petróleo, petroleum asphalt cement. Petrobras describes CAP as a high-viscosity petroleum derivative with binding properties and lists CAP 30/45 and CAP 50/70 as conventional grades — the latter with lower viscosity and higher penetration than 30/45. There are also CAP Pro products and modified asphalts. For your pump enquiry, identify the grade and supplier and attach the technical data sheet of the product used.
Terminology varies by market: bitumen may identify the binder called asphalt elsewhere. State whether the product is conventional, oxidized or modified, following supplier documentation.
Coal-tar pitch and petroleum pitch differ from bitumen. Identify product origin and composition and send its technical data sheet for duty assessment.
2. Viscosity by temperature: the central problem
Collect the product curve or test results, with the temperature associated with each viscosity value. Identify the method and unit so engineering can compare the data with pump selection.
Include expected starting and continuous operating conditions. If the supplier data sheet does not cover those conditions, request the missing data before confirming the model and drive.
FBE tables use SSU. The FBE 2026 catalog (p.5) includes a conversion table between viscosity units and states, above 300 SSU, the approximate conversion SSU = cSt × 4.635. Dynamic viscosity (cP) only converts to kinematic with the density at the same temperature; the FBEI, in turn, publishes its maximum in cP (140,000 cP).
| Data | How to report | Source document | Selection use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product identification | Commercial grade, supplier and declared composition | Supplier technical data sheet | Identify the liquid to assess |
| Kinematic viscosity | cSt (mm²/s) or SSU, with test temperature in °C | Product test report or curve | Choose speed and model in the FBE tables |
| Dynamic viscosity, when available | mPa·s (cP), temperature and method | Test report | Compare with the FBEI maximum in cP; convert using density |
| Density | kg/m³ and reference temperature | Technical data sheet or measurement | Complete the liquid physical data |
| Starting and running conditions | Temperatures and corresponding viscosities | Process and product data | Check pump and drive at each condition |
Warning
Send viscosity with its unit and reference temperature. Do not compare cP with SSU without the density, and attach the product data sheet to your enquiry.
3. Heating: pump configuration and available utilities
When specifying heating, distinguish product conditions from the conditions of the utility available at the plant. Provide heating-circuit temperature and pressure and identify the pump configuration to be supplied.
On the FBE, the heating chamber is the CA execution (nomenclature of manual MTEC-01/01), available from 1.1/2" to 6"; the 2026 catalog lists the heating chamber among the series accessories. Confirm the configuration in the quotation and assembly drawing.
On the FBEI, manual MAN001-10 limits the jacket to steam up to 185 °C and thermal fluid up to 232 °C, both up to 10 bar. These jacket limits are not replaced by the 340 °C maximum published for the series in the 2026 catalog.
If the project includes electrical tracing on the piping or another auxiliary system, send its documentation for FB assessment.
4. Starting conditions: confirm before operation
The starting procedure must match the pump, product and installation. For the FBEI, manual MAN001-10 lists explicit checks: feed the heating jackets gradually to avoid thermal shock; confirm that the fluid inside the pump is at adequate temperature and viscosity; turn the shaft by hand at least one full turn; open the valves and wait for the fluid to flow into the pump before starting; and never run the pump without fluid or with water.
Provide engineering with the expected starting temperature and viscosity, together with the product data sheet and pump identification. For the FBE, request the instructions applicable to the supplied configuration.
Confirm the capacity of the pump, motor and transmission assembly under starting conditions. For choosing the commercial motor, the FBE catalog recommends a reserve over shaft power: 50% up to 2 cv, 30% from 3 to 5 cv, 25% from 6 to 10 cv, 15% from 11 to 25 cv and 10% above 25 cv.
Request the starting procedure for the supplied assembly. Identify the product conditions, heating preparation and checks required before equipment release in that documentation.
5. Comparing gear and centrifugal pumps
Evaluate the centrifugal curve corrected for the stated viscosity and compare flow, head, power and suction conditions at the required duty point.
Compare alternatives using the product viscosity curve and installation conditions. The asphalt trade designation does not replace those data.
In gear pumps, delivered flow results from displacement and internal leakage, which varies with pressure and viscosity. The FBE selection table in the 2026 catalog (p.6) applies to viscosity below 1,000 SSU; above that, speed is reduced according to the viscosity table (p.5), with pulley or gear reducer from 7,500 SSU. Request an FBE/FBEI comparison at the same duty point, identifying model, speed and drive.
6. Documenting plant pumping points
Prepare a data sheet for each transfer, recirculation or equipment-feed duty to be assessed. Identify origin, destination and required conditions; different duties may require different models and drives.
If a pump is already installed, also send nameplate photos, its dimensional drawing and motor or gearbox data. This allows comparison of the existing installation with the proposed assembly.
| Data item | Required information | Unit or format | Suggested source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin and destination | Identification of connected tanks and equipment | Tags and flow diagram | Process flow diagram |
| Transfer flow | Required flow and expected variations | m³/h or L/min | Process data sheet |
| Pressures | Suction and discharge; state absolute or gauge | Value, unit and reference | Hydraulic calculation or identified measurement |
| Piping | Diameters, lengths, elevations and fittings | Dimensioned drawing | Installation isometric drawing |
| Product at each condition | Temperature, viscosity and density | Units and reference temperatures | Technical data sheet and operating data |
| Drive and heating | Electrical supply, transmission and available utilities (steam or thermal oil) | Nameplates and data sheets | Equipment and installation documents |
7. Documented selection: FBE model, drive and configuration
Use process data to consult the FBE 2026 catalog and manual MTEC-01/01. Size must be confirmed together with speed, required capacity and construction configuration.
Check units before comparing the product data sheet with the tables. The FBE selection table (2026 catalog, p.6) uses flow in L/min, discharge pressure in kgf/cm² and shaft power in CV, for viscosity below 1,000 SSU. The speed-by-viscosity table (p.5) gives, for example, 850 rpm with direct drive from 2,500 to 7,500 SSU (1/2" to 6") and 300 to 150 rpm with pulley or gear reducer from 50,000 to 100,000 SSU (3" to 6").
In Table 5 of MTEC-01/01, the "maximum suction pressure" row goes from 22 kgf/cm² on the smaller sizes to 6 kgf/cm² on the 4" M12: it is a suction limit, not the pump differential pressure. The same table gives a maximum speed of 1,750 rpm up to the 1" DA, 1,150 rpm from 1.1/2" to 4" M12 and a hydrostatic test pressure of 10 kgf/cm².
| Criterion | Data to check | FBE reference | Expected quotation detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model and capacity | Flow, viscosity, pressure and speed for the selected condition | 2026 catalog, p.5 and p.6; MTEC-01/01, Tables 1 to 3 | Identified model and duty point |
| Drive | Speed, transmission and power | 2026 catalog, p.4 (motor or geared motor on baseplate) and p.5 (power reserve) | Specified motor and transmission |
| Heating chamber | CA execution from 1.1/2" to 6" | MTEC-01/01 nomenclature (p.4) and 2026 catalog accessories (p.3) | Confirmed heating configuration and utility |
| Materials and sealing | Stated product composition, temperature and solids | 2026 catalog, p.3; MTEC-01/01, Table 6 and sections 2.3 to 2.7 | Materials and sealing defined for the duty |
| Connections and installation | Thread or flange, class and available space | FBE 2026 catalog, p.6 (BSP from 1/8" to 1"; ANSI B16.5 150 lb flanges from 1.1/2" to 10") | Flange standard and class of the quoted execution checked against the piping |
Engineering note
Ask the quotation to identify the model, speed, motor, transmission, materials, sealing and heating chamber where applicable. Attach the installation drawing for connection checks.
8. Materials and sealing: specify the assembly configuration
The FBE 2026 catalog (p.3) lists casing and covers in ASTM A48 CL30 cast iron, ASTM A536 60-40-18 ductile iron, ASTM A216 WCB carbon steel or ASTM A743 CF8M stainless steel; shafts and gears in SAE 1045 steel or AISI 316L stainless (special treatments on request); bushings in self-lubricating bronze, cast iron, PTFE, graphite or babbitt; and sealing by packing, mechanical seal or lip seal. Check the quoted execution of each component, related to the stated product and conditions.
In manual MTEC-01/01, the allowable temperature of the mechanical seal follows the seal manufacturer recommendation, and the standard seal described in section 2.5 is type 21, ceramic × graphite × Viton. For hot asphalt, sealing and its materials must be confirmed for the real product temperature; do not use the general catalog maximum as the limit of every execution.
Include operating hours, starting frequency and maintenance history when comparing alternatives. These data support discussion of replacement, service access and spare parts with FB; the FBE catalog (p.4) lists the replacement components of the series, from shafts and gears to bushings, sealing and relief valve.
Compare quotations for the same duty point and scope of supply. Check which materials, seals, drive and accessories each option includes.
For emulsions and modified products, send the declared composition, additives and compatibility data provided by the product manufacturer. Record required materials in the specification and ask FB to confirm the available configuration for that duty.
Engineering note
Attach the product data sheet, duty point and material and sealing requirements to your enquiry. Availability and lead time of the requested configuration are confirmed at quotation.
9. Check before your sales enquiry
Organize equipment records and process requirements for technical and commercial comparison. The three points below help complete your enquiry.
- Maintenance: record inspections, operating hours and equipment events. Request FB maintenance guidance and the parts list for the model and duty.
- Specification: confirm model limits for the stated liquid — speed by viscosity on the FBE and jacket limits on the FBEI. Identify heating, materials and sealing in the quotation and assembly drawing.
- Materials: attach the product data sheet and identify components whose material needs confirmation. Include sealing and leakage-containment requirements in the enquiry scope.