How to Select a Lobe Pump

What is a Lobe Pump?

Lobe Pumps, also known as Rotary Lobe Pumps, are a type of Positive Displacement Pump that feature two rotating lobes. This design creates suction which draws more fluid into the pump resulting in the necessary pressure required to transfer fluid out the discharge of the pump.

Advantages of Lobe Pumps:

Lobe Pumps are well suited to a range of applications such as slurries, pastes, and those containing solids. They are particularly effective in preserving the quality of the product and can transfer solids without causing damage.

• Versatile fluid handling capabilities
• Gentle handling of products
• Self-priming when wetted
• High efficiency, maintaining consistent flow rates
• Simple and quick to maintain
• CIP and SIP available
• Can be used with hazardous applications or environments (upon request)
• FDA and EHEDG certifications for sanitary applications
• Can handle temperatures up to 140°C

Common industries & applications:

Lobe Pumps excel in sanitary applications and are ideal for handling fluids containing solids where the product integrity needs to be maintained.

• Pharmaceutical
• Cosmetics
• Food & Beverage
• Pulp & Paper
• Chemical
• Biotech

What are your fluid & media transfer characteristics?

To choose the appropriate Lobe Pump for your application, ask yourself the following questions:

1. What media will be pumped? Consider the chemical composition of the media you will be pumping – is it chemically neutral or corrosive, shear sensitive etc.
2. What is the viscosity of the media you intend to pump? Consider viscosity limitations, shear sensitivity etc.
3. Do you need to pump fluids containing solids?
4. Is your environment or fluid explosive?
5. Do you require self-priming capabilities?

Materials Available:

• Stainless Steel AISI 316L
• Cast iron

Lobes can be supplied in several different elastomers including NBR, SBR, XNBR, EPDM, Viton, Teflon, FPM, FKM etc. according to FDA certifications if required.

Some of our materials offer an ATEX option on request for explosive applications and environments.

Maintenance required to keep your Lobe Pumps running:

Regular maintenance is crucial to keeping your pump performing at its best and ensuring a long life span. To look after your Lobe Pump, you should:

• Gearbox oil levels should regularly be checked to ensure no leakage
• Monitor suction and discharge levels
• Monitor pressure and flow if your system features a flushing system
• Listen for excessive noise which could indicate that the lobes are dragging or that there are wear issues on the bearings or gears
• If the pump features a heating or cooling system, the temperature should regularly be checked

Depending on the size of your pump and the fluid you are pumping, a more detailed maintenance schedule may be required.

Additional Factors to Consider:

Will your pump be stationary, or do you need it to be portable? If you require portability, Lobe Pumps can be fitted to trolleys of any size to suit your needs.

Will you require additional accessories for your pump? Tanks for heavy-duty applications, heating and cooling jackets, inverters, lubrication tanks, and other accessories to improve or assist the performance of your pump are available.