Practical Experience in Selecting Viking Rotary Lobe Pumps Based on Flow Rate

Viking rotary lobe pumps are widely used across various industries thanks to their stable pumping performance, excellent handling of high-viscosity fluids, and durability under harsh operating conditions. However, in practice, many systems encounter issues due to incorrect pump model selection, leading to flow and pressure deviations, as well as unnecessary investment and maintenance costs.

This article shares real-world experience in selecting Viking rotary lobe pumps, focusing on key factors such as flow rate, pressure, viscosity, and operating environment, helping readers avoid common mistakes and choose pumps that truly meet their application requirements.

Accurately Determining the Actual Operating Flow Rate

Flow rate is the first parameter that must be defined when selecting a Viking rotary lobe pump. A common mistake is selecting a pump based on maximum flow rate instead of the system’s actual operating flow.

In industrial operation, rotary lobe pumps perform most efficiently when:
• The operating flow rate lies within the pump’s optimal efficiency range under specific conditions (pressure, temperature, viscosity, and fluid type).
• The pump does not run continuously at its maximum capacity.

Selecting an oversized pump can result in:
• Higher initial investment costs
• Increased spare parts replacement costs
• Higher energy consumption

Practical experience:
It is recommended to determine both the average and peak flow rates of the system, then select a pump that operates efficiently within this range rather than one that runs close to its design limit.

Experience in Selecting Viking Rotary Lobe Pumps Based on Viscosity

Fluid viscosity directly affects the performance and service life of Viking rotary lobe pumps and is often underestimated during pump selection.

Viking rotary lobe pumps offer significant advantages when handling:
• Medium- to high-viscosity fluids
• Fluids whose viscosity changes with temperature

However, if actual viscosity is higher than anticipated, the system may experience:
• Lower actual flow rate than calculated
• Increased motor load
• Accelerated wear of gears and shafts

Selection experience:
For high-viscosity fluids such as molasses, adhesives, chocolate, or molten polymers, it is advisable to select a pump model one size larger than theoretical calculations suggest.
Always consider viscosity at actual operating temperature, not just standard conditions.

Operating Environment – A Decisive Factor in Selecting the Right Model

In addition to flow rate and viscosity, the operating environment plays a critical role in selecting the correct Viking rotary lobe pump.

Key environmental factors to consider include:
• Fluid operating temperature
• Chemical corrosiveness
• Hygienic requirements in food applications

For chemical or solvent environments, priority should be given to pump models with:
• Stainless steel pump casing and shafts
• Seal materials compatible with the pumped fluid

For fluids that tend to solidify or increase in viscosity as temperature drops, Viking rotary lobe pumps with heating jackets should be selected to ensure the fluid remains in a liquid state during operation.

Avoiding Flow Rate Deviations in Actual Operation

Flow deviations are common when the pump is not properly selected. Typical causes include:
• Changes in viscosity compared to design conditions
• Increased system pressure losses
• Pump operation outside its optimal efficiency range

To minimize flow deviations:
• Fully calculate pipeline pressure losses
• Select pumps with a suitable operating range, avoiding selection too close to performance limits
• Ensure proper rotational speed and motor sizing for the application

Cost-Saving Experience When Selecting Viking Rotary Lobe Pumps

Saving costs does not mean choosing the cheapest pump. In practice, selecting the right pump from the beginning significantly reduces long-term costs.

Cost-optimization tips include:
• Avoid oversizing the pump beyond actual requirements
• Prioritize models suited to real operating conditions rather than “over-specified” configurations
• Select appropriate materials—stainless steel is not always necessary if the environment does not require it

Correct pump selection at the design stage helps:
• Reduce initial investment costs
• Minimize failures and maintenance
• Extend the service life of the entire system

Important Notes When Consulting and Selecting Viking Rotary Lobe Pumps

Viking rotary lobe pumps are highly specialized technical equipment; therefore, selection should not rely solely on catalog data. Users should:
• Provide complete information about the pumped fluid
• Clearly define actual operating conditions
• Seek advice from suppliers with real-world application experience

This ensures the correct pump model, materials, and configuration are selected, resulting in stable and efficient long-term operation.

Conclusion

Selecting the right Viking rotary lobe pump requires a thorough understanding of system flow rate, fluid viscosity, and operating environment. Applying the above practical experience helps reduce errors, optimize costs, and enhance equipment durability during real-world operation.

👉 Related reference: WRIGHT FLOW RTP20 ROTARY LOBE PUMP FOR HYGIENIC PRODUCT TRANSFER

TAN LONG TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
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Website: www.tanlongvietnam.com
Email: sales@tanlongvietnam.com

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