The rotary lobe pumps also known as lobe pumps are a category of positive displacement pumps which are gaining increased acceptance in numerous industries due to various qualities like efficiency, flexibility and they are self –priming. Some of the areas of application happen to be – fluids with suspended solids , viscous liquid and the flow of aggressive chemicals. In this article, lobe pump will be looked at in detail, including the design process, areas of usage, strengths, and major importance aspects concerning its maintenance.
Design and Working Principle
Lobe pumps consist of two rotors known as lobe rotors; these are located in the twin screw assembly. These rotors interconnect with one another and turn within the casing of a cylindrical shaped pump. According to the structure of the rotors the lobes form chambers that collect the fluid as they revolve and then transfer it via the pump discharge.
There are two main types of lobe pump designs: external and internal. In an external rotor design, all the lobes are located on the outer structure of the rotor whereas in an internal rotor design, the lobes are located internally within rotor. In general it may be said that external rotor designs are more voluminous, mechanically more massive and designed to handle higher fluid throughput, while internal rotor designs are more compact and suitable for low to medium throughput.
Applications
Lobe pumps can be used in many industries such as solid and liquid food processing, formulation and packaging of liquid products and preparation of beverages, pharmaceuticals and chemical production, water treatment and waste water treatment industries, pulp, paper and paper conversion industries and petroleum industries. Sewage pumping – pumping liquids loaded with suspended matters, the effect on fluids that usually requires a uniform flow, highly viscous fluids, and aggressive chemicals.
Advantages
1. Self-priming: Lobe pumps are suitable for handling fluids with gases or air content and do not require external priming system.
2. Gentle handling: Lobe pumps perform only a gentle piston movement because shear-sensitive fluids should not be damaged during transportation.
3. Versatility: Lobe pump can be used in applications where viscosities of fluids are high or where the fluid contains solids in suspension or where it is chemically active.
4. Low maintenance: While these pumps have relatively fewer components moving part to part, they have low maintenance demands and higher operational life compared with the other styles of PD pumps.
5. Explosion-proof versions: The lobe pumps are designed for use in explosive areas and thus are explosion proof in characteristic Due to their requirement in flammable and explosive facilities.
6. Suitable for varying viscosity fluids: One advantage of lobe pumps is the ability to pump fluids of varying viscosity; therefore they are useful where the viscosity keeps at intervals.
Maintenance and Lifespan
Lobe pumps’ design is that it has minimal contact surfaces, its maintenance schedules are relatively minimal. However, It is noted that performance and durability greatly depend on the regular maintenance in this system. This involves checking the condition of the pump and the condition of the seals as a result of suction, conditioning and replacing of the worn out lobe rotors and elastomers.
Conclusion
Lobe pumps are thus found to be durable, economical and suitable for many industries and several processes. Because they do not need priming, offer gentle pumping action and are suitable for a broad range of fluids, they are suitable for numerous uses. Understanding the design of lobe pumps, as well as their benefits and the proper processes for maintaining them, would enable users to receive the highest potential of usage for these pumps and increase their longevity, which leaves users with the highest profitability possible for their investment.