What is the main risk of a chemical feed pump operating outside of recommended ranges?

Operating a chemical feed pump outside of the recommended ranges primarily leads to inconsistent chemical dosing. When the pump functions beyond its optimal parameters—such as flow rate, pressure settings, or chemical concentration—it may deliver too much or too little of the chemical being dosed. This inconsistency can cause several issues, like fluctuations in the treatment process, which may ultimately affect the overall performance of the system it serves. Proper dosing is crucial for maintaining the desired chemical balance and ensuring the safety and efficacy of various processes, such as water treatment, where precise chemical additions are essential for compliance with regulatory standards.

While decreased chemical effectiveness, increased likelihood of equipment failure, and higher operational costs are legitimate concerns, they are secondary effects that may stem from the primary issue of inconsistent dosing. For example, incorrect dosing could lead to operational costs rising over time due to increased materials or emergency interventions required to correct treatment failures.