Food Processing Pumps

Food processing pumps – types of pump used in food industry

The food industry uses an array of food processing pumps and types for a huge and demanding range of production tasks. When you consider how food ingredients can vary in texture, consistency and viscosity not to mention how temperature can further change these attributes, it becomes clear that no one pump type and no single specification pump can handle every possible duty and that’s why we offer various food grade pump technologies.

For example, a pump to transfer a high volume of low viscosity milk from the bottom outlet of a dairy tank will have different attributes and capabilities to a pump that has been designed to unload highly viscous tomato paste concentrates from an open top drum. Similarly, a food processing pump that sucks non-flowing fondant icing from a mixing bowl may not be the same type of pump as one that is designed to pump and scavenge water-like cleaning detergent fluid in a CIP (clean-in-place) system.

Food Processing Pump Types

How to select the best pump for your project

Pump selection starts with common sense.

If you want to transfer a shear-sensitive slurry of yoghurt with entrained fruit pieces while minimising damage to the fruit, you would avoid using a centrifugal pump that has an impeller rotating at around 3,000 rpm (revolutions per minute)! Not only would the viscosity be too high for a centrifugal pump but the high speed blades on the impeller would destroy the solid pieces. In this case, a positive displacement pump with large enough cavities / clearances to pass the solid pieces would be recommended and we would want the pump to be running at a much lower speed. Perhaps a more appropriate pump type, in this case, would be a rotary lobe pump or, even better, a circumferential piston pump or even a twin screw pump.

Different pump types can do different pump duties

Just as fluid types vary, so do pumping situations. Some pumps rely on gravity to allow the fluid to enter the pump inlet so these are good to be located below a tank outlet. Other pumps are self-priming which means that they offer a degree of suction and can suck or lift fluids vertically up and out of tanks or drums.

What if you need to pump a material that doesn’t flow at all? Well, BestPump use a mechanical means of encouraging or forcing awkward materials into a pump inlet and our ‘BlockBuster’ systems can pump the unpumpable.

Other things to consider include your method of powering the pump. If you have an adequate compressed air source onsite then an air operated diaphragm pump is a common choice. We also supply piston pumps and drum pumps that can be powered by air motors. When an air-driven pump is not an option, electrical motors need to be used to power your pumps and there are many options on that front.

Food Processing Pump types from BestPump

Electrically powered food pumps

• Centrifugal pumps – high volume transfer of low viscosity fluids
• Circumferential piston pumps – accurate transfer & gentle handling of all fluid viscosities
• Eccentric disc pumps – self-priming, ability to dry run and shear-sensitive
• Flexible impeller pumps – very simple pumping concept that offers dry self-priming and versatile pumping performance
• Gear pumps – accurate dosing capability, able to self-prime and good for viscous liquids like oils and chocolates
• Lobe pumps – shear-sensitive handling of all viscosities
• Peristaltic hose pumps – strong suction for self-priming, able to dose and meter effectively and low maintenance without mechanical seals
• Progressive cavity / screw pumps – strong suction, suitable for solids and high viscosity fluids and offers a steady, pulsation-free flow
• Twin screw pumps – infinite flow rate & fluid viscosity pumping possibilities with ultra-gentle handling of fluids & solids

Air or electric food pumps

• Drum pumps – for unloading fluids, pastes & more from drums, barrels, IBCs and other containers. Different types to suit low and high viscosity fluids.

Pneumatically powered food pumps

• Diaphragm pumps – air-operated pumps that offer mobility & versatility while being simple to operate and service (electrically operated diaphragm pumps or EODDs are on their way to the hygienic sector…)

Food Processing Pumps Selection Advice

BestPump offers friendly, uncomplicated advice for all food processing pump types. You can use our basic pump selection form, our general enquiry form or call us on +44 (0) 1236 433799.