What is a standardized centrifugal pump?

A standardized centrifugal pump follows specified dimensions and parameters that ensure interchangeability between manufacturers — same baseplate, same connections, same dimensions. This reduces replacement costs, simplifies spare parts inventory, and eliminates dependence on a single supplier.

What is back pull-out?

Back pull-out is a design feature that allows removing the rotating assembly (impeller, shaft, mechanical seal, bearing housing) from the rear of the pump without disconnecting the volute from the piping. This drastically reduces maintenance time and downtime costs — essential in industrial plants with continuous operation.

What certifications does FB Bombas hold?

FB Bombas is registered with CRCC Petrobras and meets API 610 and API 676 requirements for critical industrial applications. The FBCN series is a horizontal standardized pump with back pull-out design. Available in cast iron, stainless steel, and special alloys.

What applications are standardized pumps suited for?

Industrial water, chemical processes, cooling systems, HVAC, sugar-ethanol plants, mining, pulp and paper, fire-fighting, and any application requiring low-viscosity fluids at high flow rates with simplified maintenance and parts interchangeability.

What is the difference between a standardized and a non-standardized pump?

A standardized pump follows specified dimensions (baseplate, flanges, shaft) allowing interchange between manufacturers. A non-standardized pump has proprietary dimensions, making replacement difficult. In industrial plants, standardized pumps are preferred because they reduce maintenance time and eliminate dependence on a single manufacturer.

What is the operating range of the FBCN series?

Flow rate up to 2,400 m³/h, head up to 138 m, temperature up to 260°C. 53 models: 43 standard (DN25 to DN150) + 10 large capacity (DN200 to DN300) in various impeller configurations and construction materials.

Can I replace my KSB, Imbil, or Sulzer standardized pump with an FBCN?

Yes. The FBCN replaces standardized pumps from KSB, Schneider, Dancor, Ebara, Sulzer, OMEL, Thebe, Wilo, Famac, and Imbil without modifying the baseplate or piping. Back pull-out for fast maintenance. Brazilian manufacturer since 1944, CRCC Petrobras registered, API 610 compliant.

What construction materials are available for the FBCN?

The FBCN is available in cast iron GG20 (industrial water, sanitation, low corrosion), A216 WCB carbon steel (chemical and petrochemical, up to 25 bar depending on flange), nodular iron (reinforced mechanical strength), and A743 CF8M (316) stainless steel for acidic, food-grade or corrosive fluids. FB Bombas engineering validates the specification against the chemical compatibility table for the supplied fluid.

What is the 0/100/150 % curve envelope and why does it matter?

The 0/100/150 % envelope is the NFPA 20 requirement (also adopted by NBR 16704) defining Q×H curve points at zero flow (shutoff), nominal, and 150 % of nominal. The pump must deliver at least 65 % of head at 150 % flow and no more than 140 % of nominal head at shutoff. The FBCN specified for fire protection ships with a factory-certified curve at these three points for Fire Department approval.

Does the FBCN have any high-capacity variant beyond the 43 standardized models?

Yes. Beyond the 43 ASME B73.1 standardized models (DN25 to DN150, flow up to 1,000 m³/h), the FBCN has 10 large-bore models (DN200 to DN300) for flows up to 2,200 m³/h and head up to 138 m, retaining back pull-out construction and the same material options. The 53 models cover the full industrial application range without resorting to a split-case pump.

What is the ASME B73.1 standard?

ASME B73.1 is the American technical standard that defines dimensional and mechanical specifications for horizontal chemical-process centrifugal pumps, with back pull-out construction and standardized flanges. It establishes interchangeability between standard-compliant manufacturers. FB Bombas FBCN series is fully ASME B73.1 compatible across all 53 models.

What is back pull-out construction?

Back pull-out is the construction whereby the pump rotating assembly (impeller, shaft, bearing and sealing) can be removed for inspection or maintenance without disconnecting suction and discharge piping. It reduces maintenance time and risk to piping integrity. All 53 FB Bombas FBCN pumps implement back pull-out per ASME B73.1.

NPSH (Net Positive Suction Head) is the difference between absolute pressure at pump suction and vapor pressure of the pumped fluid, expressed in meters of liquid column. It indicates how much energy the fluid has to enter the pump without vaporizing. It exists in two forms: NPSH available (NPSHa, system) and NPSH required (NPSHr, pump).

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TECHNICAL GUIDE

Pump — Complete GuideNormalized Centrifugal

Technical guide on normalized centrifugal pumps: what normalization means, padrão normalizado and API 610 standards, back pull-out advantages and parts interchangeability between manufacturers.

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Quick answer

What is a normalized centrifugal pump?
A normalized centrifugal pump follows ASME B73.1 standardized dimensions — same base, same connections, same dimensions across manufacturers. This guarantees total interchangeability: compatible parts, installation and maintenance. FB Bombas' FBCN Series is horizontally normalized with 53 models (43 standard + 10 large frames) covering up to 2,200 m³/h. CRCC Petrobras registered.
What is back pull-out?
Back pull-out is a construction design that allows removing the rotating assembly (impeller, shaft, seal, bearing) from the rear of the pump without disconnecting the volute from piping. Drastically reduces maintenance time and downtime cost — essential in industrial plants with 24/7 continuous operation. The entire FBCN Series is back pull-out.
Can I replace my KSB, Imbil or Sulzer pump with a FBCN?
Yes. The FBCN Series is normalized and replaces centrifugal pumps from KSB, Schneider, Dancor, Ebara, Sulzer, OMEL, Thebe, Wilo, Famac and Imbil without modifying base, flanges or piping. Same ASME B73.1 dimensions, same footprint. Brazilian manufacturer since 1944, CRCC Petrobras, compliant with API 610 and API 676.
What is the difference between normalized and non-normalized?
Normalized follows standardized dimensions (base, flanges, shaft) allowing direct swap between manufacturers. Non-normalized has proprietary dimensions, requiring modifications or complete replacement when swapped. In industrial plants, normalized is preferred for reducing maintenance time, parts inventory cost and single-supplier dependency.

What Is a Normalized Centrifugal Pump?

Dimensional standardization that ensures industrial interchangeability

A normalized centrifugal pump follows dimensions standardized by international norms such as padrão normalizado and API 610. This means the base dimensions, suction and discharge connections, shaft height and mounting points are identical between different manufacturers — allowing direct replacement without modifying piping or foundation.

The FB Bombas FBCN series is horizontally normalized with back pull-out design, allowing complete removal of the rotating assembly without disconnecting the volute from piping. This reduces maintenance time from hours to minutes — essential in plants with 24/7 operation.

padrão normalizado — guaranteed dimensional interchangeability

Back pull-out — maintenance without disconnecting piping

53 models — flow up to 2,200 m³/h, head up to 138 m

Cast iron, stainless steel or special alloys

How Does a Centrifugal Pump Work?

Kinetic energy to pressure conversion cycle

Axial Suction

Fluid enters through the impeller center (eye) by pressure difference. Rotation creates a low-pressure zone at the center that draws liquid through the suction piping.

Radial Acceleration

Impeller vanes accelerate the fluid radially through centrifugal force. The motor's mechanical energy is transferred to the fluid as kinetic energy (velocity).

Volute Conversion

The high-velocity fluid enters the volute (spiral casing), where the cross-section progressively expands. Deceleration converts kinetic energy into static pressure.

Back Pull-Out & Normalization

Technical advantages of dimensional standardization

Back Pull-Out

Rotating assembly removal from rear without disconnecting volute from piping. Maintenance in minutes, not hours. Reduces downtime cost in 24/7 plants.

Interchangeability

padrão normalizado standardized dimensions ensure any normalized pump replaces another — same base, flanges and shaft. No civil works or piping modifications.

International Standards

padrão normalizado (dimensions), API 610 (mechanical construction) and API 610 (performance). Quality assurance and traceability in industrial audits.

Lower TCO

Lower total cost of ownership: standardized spare parts, reduced inventory, manufacturer independence and faster maintenance throughout service life.

Centrifugal Pump Advantages

Why industry prefers normalized pumps

High Flow Rates

Capability to move massive fluid volumes. FBCN series handles up to 2,200 m³/h.

Energy Efficiency

High efficiency at operating point (BEP). Lower energy cost per m³ pumped for low-viscosity fluids.

Simple Maintenance

Back pull-out allows removal of rotating assembly without disconnecting piping. Reduces downtime.

Normalized

Standardized dimensions ensure parts interchangeability and easy replacement between manufacturers.

Continuous Flow

No pulsation — smooth, constant flow. Ideal for processes requiring stable line pressure.

Cost-Effective

Lower acquisition and operating cost for low-viscosity applications. Wide parts availability.

Industrial Applications

Sectors that use centrifugal pumps daily

Industrial Water

Intake, distribution and recirculation

Chemical Processes

Solvents, dilute acids and bases

Food & Beverage

Juices, milk, process water

Fire Fighting

NFPA 20 systems, sprinklers, hydrants

HVAC & Building

Air conditioning, cooling towers

Pharmaceutical

Purified water, light solvents

Mining

Drainage, dilute slurry transport

Sugar & Ethanol

Juice, vinasse, boiler water

Centrifugal vs. Gear

When to choose each pumping technology

Criteria	Centrifugal	Gear
Ideal viscosity	Low (<100 cP)	High (>100 cP)
Max flow	Very high (2,200 m³/h)	Moderate (6,500 L/min)
Self-priming	No	Yes
Efficiency with water	Excellent	Limited
Operating cost	Lower (low visc.)	Lower (high visc.)
Best for	Water, solvents, juices	Oils, resins, asphalt

See full comparison of all main series

How to Specify

Essential data for correct sizing

Flow & Head

Desired flow rate (m³/h) and total head (m). Defines the operating point on the Q×H curve.

Fluid Type

Name, viscosity, density, solids concentration and chemical compatibility.

Temperature

Operating and maximum temperature. Defines seal materials and construction type.

Available NPSH

Suction height, piping losses and reservoir pressure. Prevents cavitation.

Installation

Suction and discharge diameters, flange type, available space and base.

Operating Regime

Continuous or intermittent, start frequency, load variation and applicable standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a centrifugal pump?

A centrifugal pump uses the centrifugal force generated by a rotor (impeller) to convert mechanical energy into kinetic and pressure energy, moving low-viscosity fluids such as water, solvents and light chemicals.

How does a centrifugal pump work?

Fluid enters through the rotor center and is radially accelerated by the vanes. High velocity at the rotor exit is converted into pressure by the volute (spiral casing). The pressure difference moves fluid through the system.

What is a centrifugal pump characteristic curve?

It is the graph relating flow (Q) to head (H), efficiency and power. It is essential for selecting the ideal operating point — the BEP — where the pump operates with maximum efficiency and minimum wear.

What fluids are centrifugal pumps suitable for?

Low-viscosity fluids (up to ~100 cP): industrial water, solvents, light chemicals, juices, milk, effluents, cooling water and fire fighting. For viscous fluids, gear pumps are more suitable.

What does normalized centrifugal pump mean?

A normalized pump follows standardized dimensional standards (padrão normalizado / API 610), ensuring interchangeability between manufacturers. The FBCN series is horizontally normalized with back pull-out for simplified maintenance.

When to choose centrifugal over gear pump?

When the fluid has low viscosity (<100 cP), when you need high flow rates, when pressure is moderate and when operating cost is priority. For viscous fluids or precise dosing, gear is more suitable.

Can I replace my KSB, Imbil or Sulzer normalized pump with an FBCN?

Yes. The FBCN is normalized with dimensional interchangeability — replaces pumps from KSB, Schneider, Dancor, Ebara, Sulzer, OMEL, Thebe, Wilo, Famac and Imbil without modifying base or piping. Back pull-out for maintenance in minutes. Brazilian manufacturer since 1944, CRCC Petrobras, API 610.