Flexible impeller pumps and their advantages

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) often require versatile, cost-effective, compact and reliable pumps for their equipment. All these qualities are often very difficult to find in one pump type, and it is in these situations where flexible impeller pumps shine.

Flexible impeller pumps have a unique design whereby the impeller is made from rubber and manufactured too small to fit fully inside the pump casing. This means that the impeller bends as it rotates inside; this design is what gives the pump special characteristics, such as the ability to self-prime from dry up to 6m vertically, handle solids, handle high-viscosity fluids and provide a non-pulsating gentle pumping action for shear-sensitive fluids.

These pumps have numerous other advantages that set them apart from other pump types: they are compact, can be installed in various positions and the pump head can be rotated to allow the inlet/outlet connections to be positioned how the operator desires. They can handle thin liquids such as water and diesel; however, they are also capable of handling high-viscosity fluids up to 50,000cp, such as toothpaste and cream. The motor can be run at full speed for thin liquids, or a larger pump can be used in conjunction with a gearbox or inverter drive to slow the speed when handling thicker liquids.

They are used in a wide range of industries including chemical, cosmetic, food, beverage and pharmaceutical; this is because the casing can be manufactured in either 304 or 316 stainless steel and the impellers can be manufactured in various materials including NBR, Neoprene, EPDM, Silicon and Natural rubber depending on the nature of the fluid. In addition to this, these pumps are FDA approved and the connections are available in various configurations, including DIN, BSP Male and Female, Triclover, SMS, RJT, Friederich, Garolla and Macron.

Convenience for the operator is paramount in the design of this equipment. These pumps can also be operated in reverse for applications such as tanker loading/offloading; this is performed by simply flicking switch on the motor. Maintenance is simple as there are only eight main parts in total, and only four of these are wearing parts. The drive type is also very flexible as they can be supplied in either bare shaft form without motor or mounted to an electric motor, hydraulic motor, geared motor with pulley, mechanical speed variator or variable speed drive mounted directly on the motor. Accessories can be installed for ease and system protection; these include control panel, bypass valve, carry handle, level sensors, motor shroud, remote control, flow meter and dry run protection.

It is easy to see how advantageous flexible impeller pumps are, and with so many special characteristics, variations, material types and accessories, it is not surprising that machine builders throughout the world are installing them.

Follow the link for more information about the range of flexible impeller pumps from North Ridge Pumps.

North Ridge Pumps Ltd

North Ridge House
3 Chrysalis Way
Eastwood
NG16 3RY
UNITED KINGDOM

+44 (0)1773 302660

sales@northridgepumps.com

www.northridgepumps.com

More technical articles
2 days ago
Wave of new product development investment is coming, and Igus ready to support
Survey results from a big PwC / Make UK survey shows that new product introduction is the biggest area for planned investment among manufacturers. This reflects robust Igus enquiries, says managing director Matthew Aldridge, and Igus is primed to support this new product bonanza.
3 days ago
Industrial automation leaders are endorsing TSN
With a rapidly growing demand for the technology, the number of industrial automation vendors offering TSN-compatible devices continues to grow, reports CLPA.
3 days ago
Mouser Electronics wins gold in 2023 TDK European Distribution Awards
Mouser Electronics has won gold in the e-Catalogue Distributor category as part of the TDK European Distribution Award 2023.
3 days ago
International online event from Eplan addresses best practice
What challenges are machine builders and switchgear system manufacturers facing in today’s global markets? How can the right course be set for efficient engineering at an early stage in the game? This year’s Eplan L!ve 2023 event on 21 June 2023 is providing distilled answers.
1 week ago
Cranfield University team up with the RBTX UK team
In this video you can see how Cranfield University and the Igus RBTX team came together, with a snapshot into the recent event that took place.
1 week ago
Lenze opens door to digitalisation at ITMA
Lenze is using ITMA as a platform to showcase how textile machine providers can exploit the opportunities of digitalisation and be ready for future challenges with today’s solutions.
1 week ago
New Norgren website offers extended self-serve functionality
Norgren has launched its enhanced global website, offering customers improved functionality that includes the ability to select, order and track products on a ‘self-serve’ basis.
1 week ago
Spelsberg UK announces nationwide roadshow and open day
Spelsberg UK is excited to announce its “Spelsberg on the Road” roadshow. A state-of-the-art tour bus, equipped with a working showroom, will visit numerous locations across the country beginning late May.
1 week ago
Single controller for robot and machine axes optimises productivity
Installing a robotic pick-and-place and integrated conveyor solution has increased productivity for a pharmaceutical manufacturer while maintaining regulatory compliance. Combining a vision system optimised for accuracy that assures end-to-end traceability, a single controller from Trio manages both the robot and conveyor axes, increasing reliability for the end user.
1 week ago
Schaeffler rewards suppliers for outstanding performance
Schaeffler presented 19 of its suppliers with the Schaeffler Supplier Award at the Supplier Day in Herzogenaurach, Germany, in honour of their exceptional performance.

Login / Sign up