In some industrial processes, the challenge is not simply pumping the product, but achieving reliable suction when working with high-viscosity, low-flow fluids.
At an international trade fair, we had the opportunity to learn about a real case first-hand: a food-sector producer needed to extract concentrated tomato sauce — with a viscosity of approximately 𝟰,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗰𝗣𝘀 — from the top of an 𝗜𝗕𝗖 𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗸, without transferring the product to another vessel or resorting to bottom discharge.
When emptying open tanks, virtually complete drainage can be guaranteed; IBCs, however, make this more difficult and tend to leave residual product. Even so, the ease of emptying this type of product from IBCs can sometimes outweigh the potential product loss — as was the case here.
For a large IBC with a relatively small opening, we proposed our Piton® progressive cavity pump, specifically the ISR model: a monobloc, submersible, vertical progressive cavity pump designed to operate directly immersed in the product.
The 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗻® 𝗜𝗦𝗥 allows the pumping elements — rotor and stator — to be submerged in the product itself, ensuring stable and continuous suction. This is a particularly important feature when handling viscous products or those with limited flowability.
Depending on the pump size, it can also be handled directly by its lifting handle, with no need for additional support structures.
When the application requires it, Vak Kimsa can also supply the pump with mobile or fixed support frames to facilitate handling.
In this specific case, the solution enabled a flow rate of approximately 5,000 l/h, optimising the emptying process and reducing the downtime associated with product transfer.
𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗻® 𝗜𝗦𝗥 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
- Flow rate up to 20,000 l/h with less viscous fluids
- Standard pressure up to 6 bar
- Pumps available up to 12 bar, upon request
- Flow rate proportional to speed
- Constant, pulse-free flow
- Threaded stators with FDA food-grade elastomers and AISI 316L stainless steel outer sleeve
The Piton® ISR became a key component in our customer’s dosing line, delivering a straightforward, purpose-built solution tailored to the actual characteristics of their installation and product.
Do you face similar challenges with viscous products in open tanks or large-volume containers?
Contact us! At VAK KIMSA, we help you improve your agitation, mixing, and pumping processes.
