Alfa Laval LKH Prime Centrifugal pumps

Introduction

Based on the market-leading Alfa Laval LKH pump, the Alfa Laval

LKH Prime Centrifugal Pump is a versatile, highly efficient self

priming pump for use in hygienic applications, especially tank

emptying and CIP return applications. With its combination of air

screw technology and advanced design, the pump can remove air

from the suction pipe.

Precision-engineered, the LKH Prime 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.

Application

The LKH Prime pump is designed to meet the stringent hygienic

requirements across the food, dairy, beverage, and home

personal care industries. It is ideal for tank emptying and CIP

return applications. With verified and effective CIP cleanability,

the LKH Prime can be used as a product pump as well.

The LKH Prime is available in three sizes to handle capacities up

to 100 m3/h and differential pressures up to 7.5 bar at 50 Hz.

Benefits

• Energy efficient: superior efficiency resulting in reduced energy

consumption and CO2 footprint.

• Hygienic: designed according to the most stringent hygienic

design standards and with verified and effective CIP

cleanability.

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

pumps improving the working environment.

• Reduced capital investment: designed for Cleaning-in-Place

(CIP) duties containing entrained air but can also pump

product reducing need for additional pump.

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). 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 air-screw 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.