Vane Pumps

• Vane Pump Overview
• How Vane Pumps Work
• Advantages & Disadvantages
• Applications
• Materials Of Construction / Configuration Options
• Manufacturers

 

Vane Pump Overview

While vane pumps can handle moderate viscosity liquids, they excel at handling low viscosity liquids such as LP gas (propane), ammonia, solvents, alcohol, fuel oils, gasoline, and refrigerants.  Vane pumps have no internal metal-to-metal contact and self-compensate for wear, enabling them to maintain peak performance on these non-lubricating liquids.  Though efficiency drops quickly, they can be used up to 500 cPs / 2,300 SSU.

Vane pumps are available in a number of vane configurations including sliding vane (left), flexible vane, swinging vane, rolling vane, and external vane.  Vane pumps are noted for their dry priming, ease of maintenance, and good suction characteristics over the life of the pump.  Moreover, vanes can usually handle fluid temperatures from -32°C / -25°F to 260°C / 500°F and differential pressures to 15 BAR / 200 PSI (higher for hydraulic vane pumps).

Each type of vane pump offers unique advantages.  For example, external vane pumps can handle large solids.  Flexible vane pumps, on the other hand, can only handle small solids but create good vacuum.  Sliding vane pumps can run dry for short periods of time and handle small amounts of vapor.

 

 

How Vane Pumps Work

Despite the different configurations, most vane pumps operate under the same general principle described below.

1.  A slotted rotor is eccentrically supported in a cycloidal cam.  The rotor is located close to the wall of the cam so a crescent-shaped cavity is formed.  The rotor is sealed into the cam by two sideplates.  Vanes or blades fit within the slots of the impeller.  As the rotor rotates (yellow arrow) and fluid enters the pump, centrifugal force, hydraulic pressure, and/or pushrods push the vanes to the walls of the housing.  The tight seal among the vanes, rotor, cam, and sideplate is the key to the good suction characteristics common to the vane pumping principle.

2.  The housing and cam force fluid into the pumping chamber through holes in the cam (small red arrow on the bottom of the pump).  Fluid enters the pockets created by the vanes, rotor, cam, and sideplate.

3.  As the rotor continues around, the vanes sweep the fluid to the opposite side of the crescent where it is squeezed through discharge holes of the cam as the vane approaches the point of the crescent (small red arrow on the side of the pump).  Fluid then exits the discharge port.

 

Advantages Handles thin liquids at relatively higher pressures Compensates for wear through vane extension Sometimes preferred for solvents, LPG Can run dry for short periods Can have one seal or stuffing box Develops good vacuum

Disadvantages Can have two stuffing boxes Complex housing and many parts Not suitable for high pressures Not suitable for high viscosity Not good with abrasives

 

Applications

• Aerosol and Propellants
• Aviation Service - Fuel Transfer, Deicing
• Auto Industry - Fuels, Lubes, Refrigeration Coolants
• Bulk Transfer of LPG and NH₃
• LPG Cylinder Filling
• Alcohols
• Refrigeration - Freons, Ammonia
• Solvents
• Aqueous solutions

 

Materials Of Construction / Configuration Options

• Externals (head, casing) - Cast iron, ductile iron, steel, and stainless steel.
• Vane, Pushrods - Carbon graphite, PEEK®.
• End Plates - Carbon graphite
• Shaft Seal - Component mechanical seals, industry-standard cartridge mechanical seals, and  magnetically-driven pumps.
• Packing - Available from some vendors, but not usually recommended for thin liquid service

 

Manufacturers

• Viking Pump, Inc.
• Corken, Inc.

PEEK® is a registered trademark of Victrex PLC

 

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