Maintenance-in-place pumps for aggressive fluids

Throughout all areas of industry it is common to encounter applications where it is necessary to pump fluids containing quantities of abrasive materials that can cause substantial damage to pumps.

Throughout all areas of industry it is common to encounter applications where it is necessary to pump fluids containing quantities of abrasive materials that can cause substantial damage to pumps in a very short space of time.

In order to counter the effects of aggressive fluids, it is necessary to specify pumps that not only can withstand harsh duties but can also be easily maintained.

As an international organisation specialising in the supply of pumps of all types, Axflow has the knowledge and experience to recommend effective pumping solutions for a great number of applications.

Where abrasive materials are concerned, it advises its customer to look at the potential offered by ATEX compliant Boerger rotary lobe pumps.

Although Boerger did not invent the rotary lobe pump, it has taken the concept and made it very special.

The self-priming valve-free Boerger rotary lobe pump has been designed for the purpose of handling solids-laden fluids.

The low shear capability of the helical geometry enables pulsation-free operation, thereby producing a gentle pumping conveyance of the pumped media.

In order to lend itself to as many duties as possible, this pump comes with a wide range of other rotor designs to choose from, each of which should be selected according to the characteristics of the pumped fluid.

Matching the rotor to the pumped fluid is made easier by the fact that the rotors, rotor tips and re-adjustable lobes can be coated in a choice of elastomers, Urethane, PTFE or stainless steel.

Most importantly, it is a reliable and robust pump that can handle varying media, can accommodate high suction lifts, has a dry running capability and is very easy to maintain.

Maintenance is a key issue for many industry sectors, particularly those where the pumps have to operate unmanned for extended periods.

The Boerger design of rotary lobe pump gets a high rating for the durability of its components, whilst its long service life contributes both to reduced maintenance costs and requirement for spares parts.

And when maintenance is required, it has more to offer, namely 'Maintenance In Place'.

The MIP (Maintenance In Place) capability is an influential factor in the widespread acceptance of this pump.

Supplied with a quick release cover, operators have ready access to the pump interior.

This allows the convenient replacement of all fluid wetted parts, such as casing protection liners, mechanical seals, rotor or rotor tips, where the pump is located and without the need to remove pipes, drives or other components.

In the case of the mechanical seal, this extremely durable component can be replaced as a cartridge unit.

The versatility of this type of pump is illustrated by the large number of applications for which it can be used.

Within the food industry, the maintenance-friendly attributes of the pump have contributed to its use in the production of molasses.

In this application a side-mounted pump with replaceable rotor tips and MIP radial Liners was used to prevent the accumulation of crystalline phases in the pump body.

In the packaging industry, the pump has found favour in the production of adhesives.

Here the main priority was the function of the shaft seal to work in a discontinuous process.

The solution provided involved equipping the pump with a customised Multiseal unit designed to handle coagulating materials.

AxFLow has enjoyed success with the Boerger pump in the North Sea oil and gas industry.

Handling 'produced water' and abrasive water in closed drain systems does not necessarily require high pressure pumps.

What is required is a pump type that can accommodate solids of varying sizes and has a high level of durability resulting from the rigidity of its components.

The smallest Boerger units can handle solids with diameters up to 1 inch and the largest up to 3 inches.

The Boerger rotary MIP pump not only meets these criteria but also provides an economic solution that Axflow has successfully supplied to many of the world's leading oil and gas producers.

As space and weight considerations are of premium importance on offshore oil and gas production platforms, the compact design of the Boerger pump complements the need for handling abrasive liquids.

Where there is a requirement for a pump type that can accommodate solids of varying sizes, has a high level of durability resulting from the rigidity of its components accommodate simple on site maintenance a rotary MIP pump not only meets these criteria but also provides an economic solution.

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