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Part of the main AD plant at Singleton Birch, where Borger pumps have completed 10 years of service.

Borger Rotary Lobe Pumps: A Workhorse for Tough Applications

Process design engineers are constantly on the lookout for dependable pumps that can handle challenging tasks. Borger rotary lobe pumps stand out as a robust and versatile option for a wide range of industrial applications. Let's delve into what makes these pumps special and why they might be the perfect fit for your next project.

Understanding Rotary Lobe Pumps:

At their core, Borger rotary lobe pumps are a type of positive displacement pump. This means that they move fluid by trapping a specific volume within a cavity and then forcing it out using rotating lobes.

Unlike centrifugal pumps, which rely on velocity to create pressure, rotary lobe pumps deliver a constant flow regardless of discharge pressure.

What Makes Borger Rotary Lobe Pumps Special?

Pumps made by Borger are in operation at three Singleton Birch biogas plants.
Pumps made by Borger are in operation at three Singleton Birch biogas plants.

Several key features make Borger rotary lobe pumps a preferred choice for demanding processes:

  • Self-Priming: Borger pumps can evacuate air from the inlet line, allowing them to initiate pumping without needing to be filled with liquid beforehand. This is a major advantage for applications where the pump may be located above the fluid source.
  • Valveless Design: The absence of valves within the pump chamber eliminates potential clogging issues and reduces maintenance requirements.
  • Exceptional Handling of Solids: Borger pumps excel at handling fluids with high levels of solids or abrasive materials. Their smooth, rolling lobes efficiently move these materials without causing damage.
  • Viscous Liquids? No Problem: The positive displacement action of these pumps makes them ideal for handling viscous liquids that can be difficult for centrifugal pumps.
  • Reversible Flow: Borger pumps can be operated in both directions, providing flexibility in processes where flow direction needs to be reversed.
  • Dry Run Capability: These pumps can run dry for short periods without incurring damage, a benefit during maintenance or in case of unexpected line interruptions.

Applications for Borger Rotary Lobe Pumps:

Given their unique capabilities, Borger rotary lobe pumps find application in various industries, including:

  • Wastewater Treatment: Efficiently transferring solids-laden wastewater streams.
  • Chemical Processing: Handling corrosive chemicals, slurries, and viscous liquids.
  • Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas: Pumping both substrate and digestate.
  • Food and Beverage Production: Pumping ingredients like dough, sauces, and pastes without damaging the product.
  • Mining and Mineral Processing: Moving abrasive materials like sand, gravel, and mineral slurries.

The Borger Advantage:

Danny Mason, Renewable Energy Manager at Birch Energy says that the Borger pumps are very reliable, and easy to maintain.
Danny Mason, Renewable Energy Manager at Birch Energy says that the Borger pumps are very reliable, and easy to maintain.

Borger offers two main rotary lobe pump series: BLUEline and ONIXline. BLUEline pumps are known for their durability and wide range of material options, making them suitable for various applications. ONIXline pumps, on the other hand, are optimized for higher efficiency and offer greater flexibility in sealing systems.

In conclusion, Borger rotary lobe pumps are a compelling choice for process design engineers working with challenging fluids. Their self-priming nature, valveless design, and exceptional solids handling capabilities make them ideal for diverse industrial applications.

Whether you're dealing with abrasive materials, viscous liquids, or need a pump that can handle changes in flow direction, Borger rotary lobe pumps offer the reliability and performance needed for success.

Numerous case studies, such as the installation at Singleton Birch biogas plants, back this up, as in the Press Release below:


Press Release June 2024:

10/10 for Borger pumps at Singleton Birch biogas plants

At three Singleton Birch biogas plants in Northern Lincolnshire, four rotary lobe pumps made by Borger have completed 10 years of uninterrupted service.

Image shows, part of the main AD plant at Singleton Birch, where Borger pumps have completed 10 years of service.
Part of the main AD plant at Singleton Birch, where Borger pumps have completed 10 years of service.

Operating at the main Singleton Birch 2MW site in Barnetby, which has three 2800m3 digesters, two Borger pumps are an important part of a process that at full power utilises imported maize (70 ton), sugar beet (40 ton) and chicken litter (10 ton) for its feedstock.

Established in 2014, and then expanded two years later with a third digester, additional silage clamps and two more CHP engines, the principal Singleton Birch facility has contributed 86% of the power required for the 2.3 hectares Singleton Birch site, for over two centuries, has produced high-quality lime products.

At two smaller (500kW) AD plants at Elsham, near Scunthorpe, and Willoughton, near Lincoln, a Borger pump operates at each, transferring liquid feed overflow into a drying system.

“Over the years, we’ve developed a very good partnership with Borger,” said Danny Mason, Renewable Energy Manager at Birch Energy.

The equipment is very reliable; and easy to maintain, and when we need spares or just a bit of advice, Borger’s Richard Marcinkowski is just a ‘phone call away; always ready to help us out. This gives us great peace of mind that our AD operation won’t be affected by any downtime.”

He added: “The pump application here means that wear and tear is inevitable, but Borger always keeps right on top of the servicing schedule and the flow of spare parts so that we are never without.”

Borger UK: 01902 798 977

www.boerger.com

— ends —

Borger Rotary Lobe Pumps: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about Borger rotary lobe pumps:

General:

Q: What are the different types of Borger rotary lobe pumps?
Borger offers two main series: BLUEline and ONIXline.

ONIXline pumps are optimized for higher efficiency and offer greater flexibility in sealing systems.

Q: What are the advantages of Borger rotary lobe pumps?

A: Borger pumps offer several advantages, including self-priming capability, valveless design, excellent solids handling, ability to handle viscous liquids, reversible flow, and dry run capability (for short periods).

Q: What industries are Borger rotary lobe pumps suited for?

A: Borger pumps find application in various industries, including wastewater treatment, chemical processing, food and beverage production, and mining and mineral processing.

Technical:

Q: How do Borger rotary lobe pumps achieve self-priming?

A: The design of the lobes and pump chamber allows the pump to evacuate air from the inlet line, enabling it to start pumping without needing to be filled with liquid beforehand.

Q: What types of solids can Borger rotary lobe pumps handle?

Borger pumps excel at handling fluids with high solids content or abrasive materials.

Their smooth, rolling lobes efficiently move these materials without causing damage.

Q: What is the viscosity range that Borger rotary lobe pumps can handle?

A: Borger pumps can handle a wide range of viscosities, making them suitable for both low and high-viscosity liquids.

Q: Are Borger rotary lobe pumps reversible?

Yes, Borger pumps can be operated in both directions, providing flexibility in processes where flow direction needs to be reversed.

Selection and Maintenance:

Q: How do I choose the right Borger pump for my application?

A: Several factors need to be considered when selecting a Borger pump, including the type of fluid being pumped, flow rate requirements, pressure requirements, and the presence of solids.

Consulting with a Borger representative is recommended to ensure optimal pump selection for your specific needs.

Q: How do I maintain a Borger rotary lobe pump?

Maintenance requirements for Borger pumps are minimal due to their simple design and lack of valves. Regular inspections and occasional seal replacements are typically sufficient. Refer to the Borger pump manual for specific maintenance instructions.

Additional Resources:

For more information on Borger rotary lobe pumps, you can visit the Borger website or consult with an authorized Borger distributor.

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Comments

  1. Reply

    I’ve been reading about Borger’s rotary lobe pumps, and both the BLUEline and ONIXline series sound impressive. I’m wondering, for my particular application, which one would be the better fit – BLUEline or ONIXline?

    • biogasman
    • August 5, 2024
    Reply

    We suggest that you follow the links in the article and their experts will be happy to assist you with your choice.

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