How can I pump solids?
There are solid materials that do not flow but can be successfully pumped by using a pump feeder (sometimes called a screw feeder or auger feeder).
How can I pump high viscosity fluids?
High viscosity fluids that do not flow cannot be pumped using just an ordinary pump nor can they be gravity-fed using a hopper inlet pump.
Non-flowing fluids and heavy materials will typically build-up or ‘bridge’ at the pump inlet rather than naturally flow into the pump and so they need to be positively fed or force-fed into a suitable pump’s suction inlet port by using a screw pump feeder.
Which solids and high viscosity fluids can be pumped?
If the material has a degree of moisture content and/or can be manipulated to behave like a fluid, then there is a good chance that we can pump it.
With our screw feeders, it is possible to pump solids and high viscosity fluids or ‘unpumpable’ materials as shown in the following list:
- Solid butter blocks (chilled)
- Marzipan (almond paste)
- Fig & date paste
- Pastry dough
- Shortening blocks
- Dehydrated stock (bouillon)
- Fruit concentrates
- Fondant icing (sugar paste)
- Caramel
- Cheddar cheese
What is a screw feeder pump system?
A screw feeder pump system is a stainless-steel machine that typically features an hopper inlet, a pair of feeding screws and a large-inlet positive displacement pump. A control system and conveyor can be incorporated to produce an automated bulk handling system that can pump solids and highly viscous fluids.
How does a pump screw feeder work?
Product is loaded into the hopper where the screws process and work the solids or viscous fluids then positively feeds the material into the inlet of the pump.
As the pumping chamber is continuously filled by the screws feeding the media, the pump can transfer and discharge the air-free product to the next stage of the production process.