Alfa Laval LKH Prime UltraPure Centrifugal pumps

Introduction

The Alfa Laval LKH Prime UltraPure Centrifugal Pump is

designed for use in high-purity applications where high efficiency,

exceptional cleanability, contamination safety, robust design and

low maintenance are of paramount importance.

Precision-engineered, the LKH Prime UltraPure delivers greater

energy efficiency than similar pumps. Its optimized design,

premium motor, tight tolerances and advanced impeller and

airscrew design minimize recirculation and reduce energy

consumption.

Applications

The Alfa Laval LKH Prime UltraPure is designed to meet the

stringent demands and regulations of high-purity applications

across the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries that

require equipment with the highest material integrity. It is ideal for

tank emptying and CIP return applications; it has verified and

effective CIP cleanability. The LKH Prime UltraPure can also be

used as a product pump.

All pumps are delivered with a complete Alfa Laval Q-doc

package. Q-doc provides easier validation, proof of origin and

compliance for inspection purposes according to Good

Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and ASME BPE requirements.

The LKH Prime UltraPure pump is available in two sizes to handle

capacities up to 70 m3/h and differential pressures up to 4 bar at

50 Hz.

Benefits

• Energy efficient: superior efficiency resulting in reduced energy

consumption and CO2 footprint.

• Quiet: operates very quietly compared to other self-priming

pumps, thereby improving the working environment.

• Low contamination risk: comes with full material traceability

and USP Class VI elastomers to reduce risk of process

contamination from extractables.

• Smooth qualification, validation and process control: material

traceability, and pump supplied with the Alfa Laval Q-doc

package in line with Good Documentation Practices (GDP).

Standard design

All media contacting steel components like pump casing,

impeller, airscrew, front cover, recirculation pipe and backplate are

in W. 1.4404 (AISI 316L) with material traceability 3.1 according

to EN 10204. Product wetted elastomers are specified to USP

Class VI, 121°C, Chapter 88 and Chapter 87. A stainless steel

shroud protects the motor and four adjustable stainless steel legs

support the complete unit.

A compression coupling securely attaches the stub shaft to the

motor shaft with precision alignment, and the semi-open impeller

with a special vane design ensures efficient handling of the

product as it moves through the pump.

As standard, the LKH prime pump is equipped with a single

mechanical shaft seal but is also available with a double

mechanical shaft seal. The front-loading shaft seal, with the

spring and washers mounted on the atmospheric side, makes

maintenance fast, easy and inexpensive. It takes just a few

minutes to replace the shaft seal. In addition, the balanced design

minimizes the risk of seal opening during unforeseen pressure

shock.

Working principle

On applications where the pumped media contains a mixture of

air and liquid in the suction line, airscrew rotation causes the

formation of a continuous liquid ring within the canister. Due to the

eccentric position of the canister relative to the airscrew, an air

chamber forms between the liquid ring and the airscrew, which

separates into air pockets between the air-screw vanes.

The continuous rotation of the airscrew forces air pockets through

the canister into the suction stage of the impeller which are then

pumped out via the discharge.

Liquid is returned from the discharge via the recirculation pipe into

the canister to ensure the liquid ring is maintained at all times.

When there is no air present, the canister and recirculation loop

have no function and are fully filled with liquid. The liquid passes

through the canister into the suction stage of the impeller,

allowing the pump to act as a traditional centrifugal pump.