Side-Channel Pumps

A side channel pump consists of one or more impeller assemblies (stages). The impellers are similar to those used in centrifugal pumps but the close tolerances between the casing and impellers has more in common with positive displacement pump designs. The pumping action arises from the complex transfer of energy as the fluid repeatedly interacts with the rotating impeller vanes and passes around a groove – the side channel – in a facing plate.

Side channel pumps perform in a similar way to a centrifugal pump, but have several advantages:

• Generate higher pressures than comparable sized pumps
• Can self-prime
• Less vulnerable to cavitation
• Can pump liquids with up to 50% gas content
• Ideal for safely and efficiently handling liquids near their vapour pressure 

Dickow Side Channel Pumps Dickow side channel pumps are specifically designed for efficient, economical pumping of low volumes of clean liquids at high differential pressures.  These pumps are self priming and can pump large amounts of entrained gas without any problem, making them an ideal choice for loading and unloading applications.
SAWA Hygienic Side Channel Pumps SAWA side channel pumps provide a gentle and quiet pumping action for use in hygienic applications. The pumps feature an impressive suction capacity (up to 7 m) and an excellent pumping behaviour with liquids containing gas. They can also be operated in both directions.

 

Side channel pumps are used extensively in both industrial and hygienic applications where a standard centrifugal pump would fail, for example:

• Refineries
• Petrochemical industries
• Carbonated liquids (beer, soft drinks, sparkling wine)
• Solvents
• Emulsions
• Refrigeration and heat engineering
• Liquid gas plants
• Power stations
• Tank farms with underground storage tanks

For more details of the design and operation of Side Channel Pumps, please click here.