Which pump type is used for lube oil service and transfer, tank stripping, bilge, aircraft fueling and defueling, and for handling lighter viscous liquids?

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Vane pumps are a type of positive-displacement rotary pump whose sliding vanes maintain a close seal with the housing, giving smooth, self-priming flow across a range of viscosities. This makes them well suited for moving lubricating oils and fuels, performing tank stripping, handling bilge, and dealing with lighter viscous liquids such as those in aircraft fueling and defueling. The design handles slight air entrainment and small solids better than many other pump types, and it provides reliable transfer without the high flow demands of a centrifugal pump. In contrast, gear pumps are more strictly chosen for very viscous fluids, diaphragm pumps excel with aggressive chemicals or slurries, and centrifugal pumps are best for large-volume, low-viscosity liquids and aren’t ideal for the varied tasks listed.