At LobePro, our specialty is rotary lobe pumps, a type of positive displacement pump (PD pump), and today we’re going to take a look at the basics of positive displacement pumps and how they work. So whether you are new to these types of pumps or you are looking for a refresher, let’s dive into positive displacement pumps.
What is a positive displacement pump?
A positive displacement pump or PD pump is a pump that, at its most basic design, draws fluids forward through the system, pulling it from one end and then forcing it through a discharge pipe. PD pumps can be further categorized based on how they transport fluid forward through the system. For instance, rotary lobe pumps use a rotating mechanism that creates a vacuum within a chamber, drawing fluid inside before forcing it out through the discharge pipe using the pressure created by the fluid itself. On the other hand, reciprocating PD pumps convert the energy from attached motors into reciprocating motion of a piston, plunger, or diaphragm to move fluid from one pipe to another.
What advantages do PD pumps have to offer?
PD pumps, especially LobePro’s rotary lobe pumps, have several advantages. The first is their versatility. PD pumps can handle a wide range of fluid viscosities depending on the design and technology used, from thin fluids to highly viscous liquids. Some pumps can also handle fluids containing high solids content, such as sludge or slurry. They can also handle low to high pressure, while maintaining a consistent flow and speed, even under variable system pressure. This helps with getting accurate metering of fluids in and out of the system.
LobePro’s rotary lobe pumps also have their own advantages. We manufacture over a dozen models, each of which features a design that is easy to service and maintain in the long run. LobePro pumps offer forward and reverse pumping operation, depending on the design, and are excellent for finer abrasives, oil and water separation, sludge and slurries, and a variety of other applications.
About LobePro
LobePro has been manufacturing and specializing in rotary lobe pumps since 2005. Check out all of our pumps or feel free to contact us if you have any questions.