What is the primary purpose of a pump in a fluid loop?

The primary purpose of a pump in a fluid loop is to add energy to the fluid. This energy addition is essential for overcoming the resistance that fluids encounter as they flow through pipes, valves, and other components of the system. The pump increases the fluid's pressure and kinetic energy, enabling it to circulate through the loop efficiently.

This added energy is crucial for ensuring that the fluid can reach all necessary areas within the system, particularly in applications where fluids need to be transported over long distances or overcome significant elevation changes. By facilitating the movement of fluids, the pump plays a vital role in maintaining system performance and efficiency.

While controlling flow rate, maintaining temperature, and filtering contaminants are also important aspects of fluid systems, these functions are typically handled by other components or controls within the system rather than being the fundamental role of a pump.