Designed to meet the hygienic requirements of the dairy, food and beverage and personal care industries, LKH centrifugal pumps increase process productivity while providing high efficiency and gentle product handling.
As Alfa Laval’s premium range of centrifugal pumps, the LKH centrifugal pumps are distinguished by high efficiency, low energy consumption, several options, and a wide range of flow rates and pressures.
A precision-engineered pump and motor provide high efficiency and gentle product treatment. The robust design and tight tolerances together with the advanced impeller design minimize recirculation and ensure the efficient transfer of energy.
The impeller design ensures efficient and gentle handling of the product as it moves through the pump. This ensures product integrity and minimizes NPSHr ( Net Positive Suction Head required).
Making pump energy use more efficient presents huge potential for energy savings. The optimized pump design and premium motor of Alfa Laval LKH centrifugal pumps often deliver greater energy efficiency than similar premium pumps and 30% or more compared to similar mid-range pumps.
The key is the attention to detail. Controlled compression gaskets, crevice free internals, an external mechanical seal, and an optimised impeller with balancing holes all ensure that the pump is truly cleaned during a time effective CIP cycle. Perfectly aligned components and joints with O-rings tightened to a predefined compression minimize the elastomer product contact surfaces, which also safeguards hygiene.
By positioning the shaft seal outside the pump, difficult-to-clean components do not come into direct contact with the product. In addition, the front-loading design enables quick and easy replacement, providing more uptime with lower maintenance costs. Interchangeable single, flushed and double seals simplify spare parts inventory.
LKH centrifugal pumps are currently available in 13 sizes to handle capacities up to 500 m3/hour and pressures up to 190 H/(m). Options include types of shaft seals, flushing arrangements and elastomers.
This pump is the premier choice for biopharm applications that demand high efficiency, exceptional cleanability, contamination safety, robust design and low maintenance. For these reasons, it is also an excellent choice for some personal care processes. Alfa Laval UltraPure pumps are supplied with the comprehensive Q-doc documentation package.
For the biotech and pharmaceutical industry:
LKH UltraPure (Premium centrifugal pump)
With heavy-duty pump casing and backplate, high-pressure internal seals and multiple heavy-duty studs, these pumps are capable of handling high inlet pressures up to 40 bar (600 PSI). Tough under pressure, the LKHPF is ideal for demanding nanofiltration and reverse osmosis filtration installations.
Suitable for high-pressure applications with low capacity requirements, this compact, efficient pump is ideal for use in reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration processes. One pump can replace up to three booster pumps on a production line, saving valuable floor space.
This self-priming pump is designed for use as a CIP return pump or for tank drainage since it is capable of transporting products with entrained gas.
Engineered for use in potentially explosive environments, the LKHex is available in nine sizes and conforms to the provisions of ATEX directive 94/9/EC Group II, Categories 2 and 3.
Based on the LKH range, the LKH Evap is a tailored evaporator pump supported by strong and extensive documentation, including a comprehensive vacuum curve package. It features a special scraper impeller ClearFlow that solves the product build-up problem in high solids applications, which considerably can prolong production time between cleaning.
LKH pump range, composite curve
The semi-open impeller with a special vane design ensures particularly low NPSHr (Net Positive Suction Head required). This helps prevent cavitation and minimizes the risk of mechanical damage.
Balance holes in the impeller enhance circulation around the shaft seal and reduce axial forces. This minimizes wear on the shaft seal and motor bearings.
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.
One shaft seal fits a wide pump range. The exact same LKH single shaft seal fits 11 models of LKH pumps as well as all models of the SolidC pump. The LKH seal also has the option of single or double flushed, which can be interchanged in minutes with just a few extra components.
This standardization reduces inventory and makes wear parts replacement quick and easy.
Another notable feature is the compression coupling. This securely attaches the stub shaft to the motor shaft with precision alignment. Setup is simple, operations secure and noise and vibration minimized. What’s more, the coupling helps prolong the service life of both shaft seal and motor.
