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Vane Pump

Benefits of Vane Pump

High efficiency

Vane pumps have high volumetric efficiency, moving large fluid volumes with minimal energy loss, reducing operating costs, and enhancing system performance.

Low noise operation

The smooth, continuous fluid flow and balanced design result in quieter operation, suitable for noise-sensitive environments like offices and hospitals.

Versatility

They handle a wide range of fluid viscosities and work efficiently with various hydraulic fluids, increasing their adaptability for different applications.

Longevity and reliability

Self-compensating vanes maintain consistent performance and efficiency over time, making vane pumps durable and cost-effective.

Easy maintenance

Cartridge designs allow quick and simple replacement of internal components, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.

Types of Vane Pump

Unbalanced vane pump

It consists of a cylindrical rotor mounted on an offset inside a circular casing. This means that the center of the cylindrical rotor and the center of the casing is not coincidental. The center of the casing and the centers of the rotor are at some distance. There is no leakage between the vane tips and the casings.

A side thrust is made on the rotor shaft due to the difference in pressure between the inlet and outlet port. Due to the sides thrust on the rotor shafts, the bearing’s life is reduced. Due to the pressure difference in the inlet and outlet port, this vane pump is called an unbalanced vane pump. In balanced vane pumps, there is no side thrust on the rotor shaft.

Balanced vane pump

In balanced vane pumps, the casing is elliptical in shape. The center of the rotor and elliptical casing is the same, and no offset is used. For equilibrium, two inlets and two outlets are provided, due to which no pressure difference is created between the inlet and the outlet.

Two inlets are present on opposite sides of each other, and two outlets are present on opposite sides of each other. Due to thises type of arrangement of inlets & outlets, equal and opposite thrust is balanced, and therefore no side thrust is experienced by the rotor shaft.

A balanced pump gives better service and longer life. The pocket size between the two vans increases when moving from the outlet to the outlet, and the pocket size decreases when moving from the inlet to the outlet. Therefore the inlet port has suction, and the outlet port has a delivery.

Variable displacement vane pump

In a variables displacement vane pump, the pocket-size can be varied. Due to different pocket sizes, the discharge from the outlet varies. In this variable displacement vane pump, the casing is not in direct contact with the casing.

A ring is provided between the casing and the pane, and this ring is called the reaction ring. On one side, the feedback ring is connected with the adjustment screw, and on the other side, it is connected with a spring.

The adjusting screw is used to separate the pocket size of this pump. By turning the adjustment screw, the reaction ring can be moved upward or downward. By moving the reaction ring up or down, the offset between the reaction ring center and rotor center.

As the offset change, the pocket-size also changes, & hence the discharge from the pump changes.

Application of Vane Pump

Vane pumps can be used in many different positive displacement applications. They can handle thin and low viscosity liquids, like water and petrol. They don’t work particularly well with highly viscous fluids, as the higher viscosity prevents the vanes from moving freely in the slots.

Due to the fact that they can handle a wide range of viscosities, Vane pumps are often widely used for fuel loading terminals, fuel transport vehicles, solvents, alcohol and even soft drinks and syrups.

Vane pumps are available in many different configurations and can also handle fluids with a wide range of temperatures and pressures. Since they often are used for pumping clean hydrocarbons including gas and light oils, vane pumps are normally constructed with ductile iron casings and metal rotors. The vanes are often made of carbon, which exhibits a good lubricity to keep the vanes sliding inside the slots and against the inside surface of the casing.

The type of fluid being handled plays a large part in whether this pump is right for a specific application. High-viscosity or thicker fluids will obviously greatly reduce the speed of the pump — and a therefore vane pump might not be the best choice. In some cases vane pumps present a good alternative to gear pumps for pumping relatively low viscosity oils.

Vane pumps generally work within the following ranges:

A: Flow rate ranges between 20 to 9500 lpm
B: Total head (pressure) ranges between 1 to 14 Bar
C: Horsepower ranges between 1 to 300 hp

Components of Vane Pump

Casing
The vane pump's casing is the outermost portion. It ensures the safety of the pump's internal components. It protects the internal components, such as the rotor, shaft, and sliding vanes, from external harm.

Inlet port
Through the input port, the fluid is pulled into the vane pump. It has the same function as a one-way valve.

Cam ring
The inside wall of the vane pump housing has a cam ring mounted on it.

Outlet port
The fluid is discharged through the exit port once the pump has pressurized it. It serves as a one-way valve as well.

Vanes
The rotor is where the vane pump's vanes are placed. The primary goal of the vanes is to transform the fluid's kinetic energy into speed. The form of these vanes is rectangular.Sliding Vanes may be found in the rotor's slots. The sliding vanes slide within the slots of the sliding vanes.

Rotor
It is the most crucial component of the vane pump since it is responsible for fluid suction and pressurization. It attaches to the shaft. The shaft revolves, and the rotor rotates with it. It has a number of vanes. The rotor generates a vacuum inside the pump, which causes the pump to suction fluid.

Shaft
An electric motor is linked to a shaft of the vane pump. This motor rotates the shaft while delivering electricity to it. The rotor is connected to this shaft.

Material of Vane Pump

Sliding vanes are often made of materials capable of self-lubrication so they can slide easily inside their rotor slots and against the casing. They are available in carbon, PEEK for chemical resistance, glass-fibre reinforced PTFE or bronze.

The rotors in flexible vane pumps are available in a wide range of materials for chemical compatibility with pumped fluids. For example: natural rubber (for water-based fluids), Neoprene, Viton®, Nitrile rubber (for foods, fats, fuels and oils, EPDM (for foods, hot fluids, acidic and alkaline fluids) or silicon carbide (for very high temperatures).

How to Maintain Vane Pump

1. Don’t restrict the exhaust line
There are several serious problems that come from a restricted exhaust line. Restrictions or blockages may cause the pump to malfunction by either pumping too slowly or not starting in the first place. More seriously, restriction of the exhaust line can also cause the pump to overheat and ultimately fail.

To guard against these issues, ensure the exhaust line is not blocked, either by mechanical means or by deposit build-up within the line. Implementing a regular and thorough maintenance routine will help to keep the line clear. Also, take care to position your pump in such a way that the exhaust line has sufficient room to vent.

2. Keep the pump cool
Vane pumps are air cooled. This means that you must keep your pump in a place with sufficient air flow to prevent overheating and failure.

3. Use quality filters
If you have particulates in your workspace, it’s essential to have a filter of sufficient quality to prevent those particulates from entering the pump’s system.

4. Use the gas ballast
If you’re operating your pump in normal atmospheric conditions, some water vapor will almost invariably infiltrate the vacuum system. Once the vapor has entered, it can cause significant operational problems, like preventing your pump from reaching its optimum pressure.

More seriously, however, if it enters the pump’s oil seal as a contaminant, it can cause the seal to fail. Running your gas ballast whenever you operate the pump is the best way to ensure that all water vapor is vented from the vacuum.

5. Eliminate oil mist
Oil mist or smoke from the pump’s exhaust can be a health hazard and cause wear and tear to the pump. To ensure safe operation, get the right oil mist eliminator for your pump.

How Vane Pumps Work

Despite the different configurations, most vane pumps operate under the same general principle described below.

1.A slotted rotor is eccentrically supported in a cycloidal cam. The rotor is located close to the wall of the cam so a crescent-shaped cavity is formed. The rotor is sealed into the cam by two sideplates. Vanes or blades fit within the slots of the impeller. As the rotor rotates (yellow arrow) and fluid enters the pump, centrifugal force, hydraulic pressure, and/or pushrods push the vanes to the walls of the housing. The tight seal among the vanes, rotor, cam, and sideplate is the key to the good suction characteristics common to the vane pumping principle.

2.The housing and cam force fluid into the pumping chamber through holes in the cam (small red arrow on the bottom of the pump). Fluid enters the pockets created by the vanes, rotor, cam, and sideplate.

3.As the rotor continues around, the vanes sweep the fluid to the opposite side of the crescent where it is squeezed through discharge holes of the cam as the vane approaches the point of the crescent (small red arrow on the side of the pump). Fluid then exits the discharge port.

Vane Pumps Vs Gear Pumps Vs Liquid Ring Vs Centrifugal Pump

VP = Vane Pumps

Vane Pumps Vs Gear Pumps	Vane Pumps Vs Liquid Ring Pumps	Vane Pumps Vs Centrifugal Pumps
VP are more efficient	VP can handle higher viscosities	VP are more efficient with fluids above 200cst
VP do not have metal to metal contact allowing pump to prime from dry but also strip containers, and handle non lubricating liquids	VP do not have metal to metal contact allowing pump to prime from dry but also strip containers, and handle non lubricating liquids	VP flow is maintained if viscosity is increased, whereas centrifugal pumps experience a drop in flow once outside designed duty point.
Gear pumps can have bearing or bushings in contact with fluid which can cause bearing lubrication issues with low lubricating fluids	Liquid ring pumps do not have as many sealing options.	VP are self-priming by design.
Gear pumps are more precise for dosing or metering	VP typically have a lower NPSH requirement	VP do not have metal to metal contact allowing pump to prime from dry but also strip containers, and handle non lubricating liquids
Gear pumps can have timing gears significantly increasing cost and meaning maintenance is more difficult		VP self compensate for wear.
VP have lower vibrations		Centrifugal pumps can have impeller design changed to handle solids, or abrasives.
VP have limited high viscosity handling (10,000cst vs gear of 55,000 cst)

Troubleshooting Vane Pumps

Rotary vane pumps are a robust and reliable design, yet as with anything issues can occur. Should you experience a problem there is a likely explanation which can be identified using the below troubleshooting table.

Symptom	Possible Problem
The pump does not prime	The pump is not wet Worn vanes Inlet valve closed Air entering the inlet pipe Filter blocked Inlet pipe or valves blocked or too restrictive Pump blocked by steam Pump speed insufficient for priming Safety valve partially open, worn or incorrectly seated
Reduced capacity	Pump speed too low Inlet valves not fully open Excessive restriction in inlet pipe or outlet pipe Damaged or worn parts Safety valve worn, rated to low a value or not properly closed Vanes incorrectly installed
Noise	Joints undersized or with restrictions in the inlet pipe Excessive pump speed for the liquid’s viscosity or volatility Pump too distant from the source of the fluid Pump operating for too long with a blocked outlet pipe The pump is not firmly installed Worn or damaged bearings Vibrations in due to incorrectly fixed pipes Bent shaft or motor coupling misaligned Failure of a valve in the system Safety valve rating too low Damaged vanes Vanes incorrectly installed
Damaged vanes	Entry of foreign bodies in the pump The safety valve does not open Hammer blow – pressure spikes Motor and pump misaligned Vanes excessively worn or cracked Accumulated or solidified material in the pump during start-up
Mechanical leaks	O-rings not compatible with the liquid being pumped O-rings with notches, cuts or damage Shaft damaged, worn or dirty in the area of the gasket Ball bearings excessively lubricated. Excessive cavitation Faces of mechanical gaskets with cracks, scratches, pitting or dirt

Our Factory

Established in 2008, Henan Ottima Mechanical Equipment Co., Ltd is a manufacturer and service provider specializing in the production and sales of petroleum machinery products, including gas station equipment and accessories, as well as liquid transfer equipment such as loading arms and folding stairs.

FAQ

Q: What is the function of vane pump?

A: Vane pumps are commonly used as high-pressure hydraulic pumps and in automobiles, including supercharging, power-steering, air conditioning, and automatic-transmission pumps. Pumps for mid-range pressures include applications such as carbonators for fountain soft-drink dispensers and espresso coffee machines.

Q: What are the three types of vane pumps?

A: There are three types of vane pumps available including unbalanced vane pumps, balanced vane pumps and variable displacement vane pumps. Unbalanced vane pumps are a sort of vane pumps that are common. Because of the pressure differential between the input and exit valves, they are known as an unbalanced vane pump.

Q: What is the difference between centrifugal pump and vane pump?

A: Centrifugal pumps uses impellers to produce vacuum/vaccum or involute pressure in the involute casing for suction and discharge of fluids. Vane pumps uses vanes (stators) and rotor setup instead of impellers to create pressure.

Q: Are vane pumps self-priming?

A: A vane pump is a self-priming positive displacement pump providing constant flow at varying pressures. Operation is via a motor connected to a gearbox as typically the maximum rpm is 900.

Q: Where is a vane pump located?

A: A vane pump is a type of rotary positive displacement pump. It consists of vanes mounted radially on a cylindrical rotor, which is eccentrically located in the pump casing.

Q: What is the difference between a vane pump and a lobe pump?

A: Vane pumps employ rotating vanes that slide in and out of slots, creating chambers to capture and displace fluid. Lobe pumps utilize rotating lobes to move fluid between the lobes and the pump casing. This design can run speeds in the 1000 RPM range and have a low Net Inlet Pressure Required (NIPR) value.

Q: What is the pressure on a vane pump?

A: Vane pumps are noted for their dry priming, ease of maintenance, and good suction characteristics over the life of the pump. Moreover, vanes can usually handle fluid temperatures from -32 C / -25 F to 260 C / 500 F and differential pressures to 15 BAR / 200 PSI (higher for hydraulic vane pumps).

Q: Is a vane a hydraulic pump?

A: Hydraulic vane pumps create pressure by forcing hydraulic fluid into an ever-smaller area before releasing it back into the system. This is achieved through a combination of sliding vanes, inlet and discharge holes, and a drive shaft that's off-center compared to the chamber.

Q: What is the difference between a screw pump and a vane pump?

A: The principle of the screw pump is similar to that of the meat grinder. It is characterized by strong anti-pollution and large flow, but the working pressure is not easy to reach high. 2. The vane pump has a large flow rate and is not resistant to pollution.

Q: Is a vane pump a fixed displacement pump?

A: The most common fixed displacement pumps are gear pumps. There are also some vane pump designs that are fixed displacement.

Q: Do you need to prime a vane pump?

A: Like many other hydraulic pumps, vane pumps may or may not require priming, depending on their design and specific application. Priming in a hydraulic system is the process of removing air or gas from the pump and suction lines and filling them with hydraulic fluid (usually oil).

Q: What is the life expectancy of a vane pump?

A: Many machines, such as the rotary vane vacuum pump, have a limited life span. Their peak is at around five to 10 years. From the fifth year on, you may notice signs of aging, such as poor performance or slowdowns.

Q: Is a vane pump a power steering pump?

A: Vane Power Steering Pump: Vane pumps are the most common type of power steering pump used. In this type of pump, the rotor is housed in an oval or elliptical-shaped housing where it turns. Vanes fitted to the outside diameter of the rotor sit against the housing walls as the rotor turns.

Q: Is a vane pump noisy?

A: From there, the gas decreases in volume, leading to an increase in pressure until the outlet opens again, which is when the gas is able to escape the chamber. Since vane pumps are powered by a rotating rotor and feature numerous moving parts, they can make quite a bit of noise.

Q: How do vane pumps fail?

A: Vane slots can also get worn and scored by fluid contamination. Seizure type failures can be due to fluid contamination, dry run, lack of lubricity in the fluid, high system temperature, or improper clearance between cam ring and rotor thicknesses.

Q: What is the rpm of a vane pump?

A: A vane pump usually operates between 1,000 rpm and 1,750 rpm. The pumps work well with low-viscosity liquids that easily fill the cavities and provide good suction characteristics. Speeds must be reduced dramatically for high-viscosity applications to load the area underneath the vanes.

Q: What are the advantages of a vane pump?

A: The vane pumps are known for their dry-priming, easy maintenance, and good suction characteristics throughout the life of the pump. Despite the different configurations, most vane pumps operate according to the same general principle.

Q: Are vane pumps bidirectional?

A: Gear and sliding vane pumps also have self-priming ability, allowing them to run dry without issue. These pumps can also handle bi-directional pumping, meaning they can process fluids in either direction if required.

Q: What is the purpose of a vane pump?

Q: What is the minimum drive speed for a vane pump?

A: Centrifugal forces as soon as the rotor starts rotating and achieve a positive sealing. operating speed of vane pumps should not be below 600 rpm.

As one of the leading vane pump manufacturers and suppliers in China, we warmly welcome you to buy or wholesale discount vane pump in stock here from our factory. All customized products are with high quality and competitive price. Contact us for more details.