Characteristics & Application of Screw Pumps
2025.04.16
The progressive cavity pump is a positive displacement pump that realizes fluid transfer through screw rotation, which has unique structural and performance advantages and is widely used in a variety of industrial fields. The following is explained from the technical characteristics, type differences, application scenarios, etc.:
1.The core technical characteristics
- High viscosity media: It can convey fluids in the viscosity range of 37,000-200,000 centipoise, such as asphalt, molasses, polymers, etc.
- Solid-liquid mixing: Progressing cavity pumps can handle granular media with a particle size of ≤ 30 mm and a fiber length of ≤ 350 mm with a solids content of up to 60%.
- Sensitive media: Low shear characteristics are suitable for fluids that are susceptible to mechanical damage, such as pharmaceutical ointments, jams, and fermentation broths.
2.Stable pressure: The outlet pressure fluctuates by ≤5% through the spiral sealing chamber, which is especially suitable for processes that require constant pressure conveying.
- Self-priming capability: Automatically exhausts air at start-up and suction heights of up to 8 meters (at standard atmospheric pressure).
- Low-pulsation conveying: More than 95% flow uniformity reduces pipe vibration and equipment wear.
- Multi-type design: the progressing cavity pump adopts a flexible stator, which is suitable for complex media; Twin screw pumps are driven by synchronous gears to handle highly viscous fluids with small amounts of impurities; Triple progressive cavity pumps are known for their high speed and high pressure, making them suitable for cleaning liquids.
- Low maintenance costs: The oil film lubrication between the screw and the bushing is only 1/3 of the wear rate of the gear pump, and the service life of some models is more than 10 years.
3.Typical application scenarios
(1) Industrial field
- Petrochemical
- Crude oil extraction: In 2025, a new patented progressive cavity pump reduces axial thrust by 40% through a double-spiral chamber design, improving the efficiency of deep-sea oil well production.
- Polymer Transfer: Handling PTA slurries with viscosities up to 150,000 centipoise and a stable pressure of over 12MPa.
- Food and medicine
- Dairy processing: Sanitary progressive cavity pumps made of 316L stainless steel are FDA-approved for the transfer of pulp-containing yoghurt (viscosity 80,000 centipoise).
- Pharmaceutical production: used in ointment filling machines, the flow accuracy is controlled at ±2% to avoid drug delamination.
(2) Environmental protection and municipal administration
Sewage treatment
- Sludge dewatering: Progressing cavity pumps can transfer sludge with 8% solids and reduce the moisture content from 95% to 75% with conditioners.
- Oil-water separation: Treats wastewater with 30% oil content with a separation efficiency of 98%.
Building construction
- Concrete Transfer: The three-screw pump can pump concrete with a slump of ≤ 180 mm and a vertical head of up to 50 meters.
- Grouting operation: used for tunnel construction, conveying cement slurry with 40% sand content, and the pressure is stable at 8MPa.
(3) Special working conditions
- High-temperature medium: High-temperature stator material (e.g., fluoroelastomer) is used to convey heat transfer oil at 200°C.
- High-pressure environment: Triple progressive cavity pump up to 70MPa for hydraulic system oil circulation.
4. Selection suggestions
Application scenarios | Recommended type | Key parameters | Typical cases |
High viscosity fluids | Progressing cavity pumps | Viscosity≤200,000 centipoise | Asphalt conveying (viscosity 180000) |
Contains granular media | Progressing cavity pumps | The particle size ≤ 30mm | Slurry conveying (40% solids) |
High-pressure cleaning fluids | Triple progressive cavity pump | Pressure≤ 70MPa | Hydraulic oil circulation |
Hygienic requirements | Twin screw pumps | 3A certification | Dairy processing |
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