Viking Internal Gear Pumps from Kelair Pumps Australia

Viking conquers over-pressure duties

Sales Engineer Alex Calodoukas (NSW)

Viking internal gear pumps are rated to 14 bars differential pressure with some models rated to 17 bars.

When faced with a challenging duty at 22 bars differential, pumping a highly viscous (15,000 - 20,000 cPs) fluid, does Viking decline to quote? No, they march straight in.

When Kelair approached the Viking factory with the duty, we were pleasantly surprised. The factory was not phased at all.

"No problem, we'll just make some minor modifications to the pump, and it will work fine. We do this all the time" was their response.

With the build that was selected, the pump could even have handled an abrasive, viscous fluid, at over-pressure.

Viking advised, "we can allow an increase of up to 50% in the differential pressure of a universal seal pump for example. This does require that such considerations, including shaft strength, port flange ratings, etc need to be examined and adjusted as necessary."

Kelair selects Viking pumps regularly for diesel fuel, heavy grade oils, abrasive fluids, polymers, inks, aggressive chemicals (eg. Isocyanates), emulsions, etc. There are even sealless mag drives, and plenty of options for internal components to "best suit" your duty.

The smaller external gear pumps (SG series) used to perform the lower flows to 34 bars differential. Again, with some minor modifications, the same pump could be rated to 102 bars differential. Its construction would still be in cast iron to handle the high pressure - the duty well within the pumps' limitations. Viking has just upgraded the entire SG series range, introducing a number of larger sizes, and the revised upper limits have gone from 6m3/hr at 102 bars to 45m3/hr at 170 bars. That's a huge advancement.

Achieving this level of capability comes down to Viking understanding its pumps, and having a rigorous testing regime and field experience only enhances the mix. You can't offer guess work and put people's lives at risk for over-pressure duties. With over one hundred years' experience in gear pump design and construction, Viking is extremely well qualified.

What about handling suction pressures up to 25-30 bars? Viking has accepted those duties from Kelair in the past (each on a case by case basis). It is achievable because as stated, Viking knows its pumps, and how to set them up.

So if you have an overpressure application for a gear pump don't assume it can't be done. Ask your Kelair representative to ask the factory. You may be pleasantly surprised.