Case Studies & Pump Insights

Reliable performance with gentle fluid transfer

Rotary lobe pumps are positive displacement pumps that utilize two synchronized lobes to move fluid. The lobes are propelled independently via their own shafts, ensuring they don’t touch each other or other components of the pump. This unique construction makes lobe pumps suitable for transferring dense and high viscosity media with fragile structures and low noise levels. Additionally lobe pumps are one of the most optimized pumps for energy efficiency while handling viscous liquids.

Working principle of rotary lobe pumps

The working principle of rotary lobe pump is based on positive displacement of liquid from the suction area, by lobes rotating, to the outlet port. The lobes are mounted on parallel shafts, which are driven by external timing gears located in gear casing. The shafts are synchronized in such a way to avoid lobe contact, therefore rotors do not contact each other during operation.

As the rotors rotate, they increase the volume of the space between them, creating partial vacuum on the suction port side (fig. 1). This causes pumped material flow into the pump body. The pumped liquid is transported inside the pump's body (fig. 2 and fig. 3) to the discharge port of the pump (fig. 4). When the volume of the space between the lobes decreases, it causes an increase in pressure on the discharge side and consequently the liquid is pushed out of the pump body - fluid flows into discharge pipeline.

Hygienic rotary lobe pumps applications

Lobe pumps are one of the most common pumps used in hygienic processing industries such as food & beverage processing, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Their gentle pumping action and superb sanitary qualities makes it a perfect choice for pumping viscous liquids such as honey, glucose-fructose syrup, food sauces, shampoo or cosmetic gels.

Unlike external gear pumps, lobe pumps handle liquid in a gentle manner, therefore they do not destroy delicate structure of liquids like yogurt or cream. Unlike other positive displacement pumps such as diaphragm or plunger pumps, lobe pumps generate steady fluid flow without pulsations. It makes them a right pump for confectionary lines applications.

Features & Benefits of Tapflo hygienic rotary lobe pumps

• Hygienic design - easily cleaned and maintained

• Bi-directional flow

• Easy to disassemble and reassemble pump body and cover.

• Versatile 4-way mounting of the external timing gears case which also allows vertical positioning of ports.

• Efficiently handling viscous liquids.

• Large fluid cavities allow pumping liquids with solids of significant size.

• No cross-contamination of the product from lubricating oil due to unique gear case design.

• Single and double mechanical seals execution.

• Pump casing and rotors are manufactured of stainless steel AISI 316L which assures proper corrosion resistance.

• Generates steady flow without pressure pulsations and vibrations.

Tapflo hygienic rotary lobe pumps design

1. Unique mounting system - accurate rotor positioning and facilitated maintenance.

2. Rotor - rotor mounting tightly isolated from the medium and lobes made of stainless steel AISI 316L.

3. Optimised body design - flat cover for easy cleaning and sight glass for quick oil level reading.

4. Mounting feet - vertical and horizontal mounting options.

5. External timing gears - helicals gears ensure smooth power transmission.

6. Bearings - heavy-duty tapered roller bearings.

7. Simplified adjustment and synchronization - easy access to rotor clearance adjustment shims makes it easy to set and maintain rotor synchronization.