Vane Pumps

Move Thin Liquids Using Vane Pumps

Although vane pumps are good at moving moderate viscosity liquids, they are excellent with low viscosity liquids like liquified petroleum gas, solvents, refrigerants, alcohol, fuel oils and gasoline. Vane pumps, which have no metal-to-metal contact, are able to perform at top performance when handling these liquids.

Vane pumps are available in a variety of configurations with either sliding, flexible, swinging, rolling or external vanes. The different types of vanes have their individual advantages. To move large solids, external vane pumps are the preferred type. Flexible vane pumps are better at handling small solids and create a good vacuum. For moving small amounts of vapor, flexible vane pumps have an advantage.

How Vane Pumps Operate

All types of vane pumps operate on the same principle. A rotor with slots is eccentrically supported on a thin, rounded, smooth disk-like cam. Sealed into the cam by two side plates, the rotor is located close to the cam's walls forming a cavity in the shape of a crescent. Vanes are slotted into the impeller. When the rotor rotates, the vanes are pushed to the walls of the housing. Through holes in the cam, fluid is forced into the pumping chamber by the housing and cam entering the empty spaces created by the vanes, rotor, cam and side plate. As the rotor continues rotating, the fluid is forced into the crescent-shaped space on the opposite side where it is compressed and exits the discharge port.

The advantages of vane pumps are the ability to develop good vacuum and run dry for short periods of time. This characteristic makes vane pumps ideal for handling thin liquids at comparatively high pressures. Conversely, vane pumps are not good with abrasive materials and have a complicated housing with many parts.  

Find quality vane pumps for your lab equipment needs by visiting our online store today.

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