Piston rotor pumps: Efficient and low-maintenance pumping solutions for the pulp and paper industry
The pulp and paper industry handles a wide variety of fluids that place high demands on the capacity and reliability of pumps. These fluids can be difficult to handle due to varying viscosities, contaminants or solids, and often require handling under harsh conditions of varying pressures and temperatures. To ensure stable and efficient production, pumping solutions are needed that are both durable and reliable.
Colly Flowtech, together with Viking Pump® Hygienics, has helped pulp and paper mills upgrade to piston rotor pumps - a modern and sustainable solution that improves reliability and reduces the need for emergency maintenance. In many applications today, companies are replacing older lobe rotor pumps and multistage pumps with this innovative pump design to ensure more efficient and long-term operation. Piston rotor pumps are therefore particularly appreciated in the pulp and paper industry.
Challenges in the pulp and paper industry
In the pulp and paper industry, it is important to have a high level of reliability and to ensure that production does not stop, as any downtime can be costly. Liquids used in production, such as starch and soap, are often difficult to handle. They can be thick, have different viscosities (how thick or thin the liquid is), and contain impurities. This requires pumps in the pulp and paper industry to be able to handle liquids in harsh conditions without breaking down
Traditional pumps often cannot cope with these demanding fluids and pressure changes. This leads to frequent downtime and high maintenance costs, making production inefficient and potentially leading to losses.
Why choose the latest generation of piston rotor pumps for the pulp and paper industry?
The latest generation piston rotor pumps are designed to handle liquids of varying viscosities in a gentle manner. These pumps are also effective at handling media containing small particles. A major advantage of reciprocating pumps is that their internal parts do not touch each other. Instead, they move freely and overlap, which means they wear less and need less maintenance. This makes the pumps both durable and reliable even in the toughest working environments. The result is less downtime and lower maintenance costs, increasing the long-term efficiency of pulp and paper mills.
The benefits of reciprocating pumps for pulp and paper mills
Piston rotor pumps offer several advantages for pulp and paper mills:
- Reduced downtime and high reliability
Piston rotor pumps are built to withstand tough working conditions and keep going even during prolonged operation. Their robust design allows them to handle high loads without risking rapid wear, reducing the risk of unplanned downtime. This means production can keep rolling without sudden downtime causing delays or losses, leading to higher reliability in the long term.
- Superior handling of viscous products
Piston rotor pumps are particularly good at pumping viscous liquids such as starch or soap, which are often used in the pulp and paper industry. They can also handle fluids with varying viscosities such as tall oil and fuel oils without the flow becoming uneven or unstable. This is important to ensure that processes are predictable and that production can continue without unnecessary interruptions.
- Lower maintenance costs and energy efficient operation
Piston rotor pumps are designed to be easy to maintain. They have smart solutions, such as front-mounted seals, where the seals are located at the front of the pump, allowing servicing to be done quickly without having to dismantle the whole system. This saves both time and money on maintenance. In addition, the pumps are energy efficient thanks to less back leakage and advanced rotor design. This means that they use less energy to do the same job, thus reducing operating costs over time.
- High safety even when handling dangerous liquids
Many pulp and paper mills work with fluids that can be chemically aggressive or even explosive. Piston rotor pumps are available in ATEX certified versions, which means they meet the safety requirements needed for use in hazardous environments. This means that even if the pump is handling hazardous or sensitive substances, they can be used safely without jeopardizing workplace safety. It's like a guarantee that work can continue safely, even in the most challenging environments.
Sustainability and innovation with Piston Rotor Pumps
In addition to increasing reliability and efficiency, piston rotor pumps also contribute to more sustainable production. Fewer components and reduced material consumption mean that the technology is in line with industry's ambitions to reduce environmental impact.
With a focus on safety, flexibility and durability, reciprocating pumps continue to revolutionize the pulp and paper industry and ensure the highest standards in production. With the Viking Pump Hygienics range, including both the older robust design and the latest generation REVOLUTION Piston rotor pumps, we take maintainability to new levels and ensure that your production is both efficient and sustainable.
This text was written by Oskar Karlsson (oskar.karlsson@colly.se), Salesperson at Colly Flowtech.
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