FKL
PD Pump

What is an FKL Pump?

The Fristam FKL Circumferential Piston Pump is a highly specialized sanitary positive displacement pump designed to handle a wide range of process applications, particularly in industries that require reliable, high-performance fluid transfer. The FKL pump is engineered with precision to ensure optimal flow rates and efficiency, even when dealing with challenging fluids like high-viscosity liquids or those containing solid particles. Its robust design and adaptable performance make it a go-to choice for applications in diverse sectors such as food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and more.

The FKL is the first close-clearance sanitary PD pump to be designed for “True CIP.” Fristam’s FKL does not require removal of any components from the pump for clean in place operation. The cover and rotors remain in place. This provides a simple and effective solution with minimal downtime and no performance loss.

Where is the FKL positive displacement pump used? (Key Applications)

The Fristam FKL PD pump is versatile and can be found in a variety of industries where the demand for precision and reliability is paramount. Key applications include:

• Food & Beverage: Ideal for transferring viscous liquids, emulsions, and suspensions such as sauces, soups, dressings, syrups, purees, and dairy products. It ensures gentle handling of delicate products without compromising product integrity.
• Pharmaceuticals: Perfect for handling APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients), suspensions, gels, and emulsions, the FKL pump helps maintain sterility and accuracy in fluid delivery.
• Cosmetics & Personal Care: Ideal for pumping emulsions, creams, lotions, and gels, ensuring controlled flow rates and minimal shear during transfer, preserving the quality of high-value ingredients.

How does the FKL pump work? (Theory of Operation)

The FKL circumferential piston pump operates on the principle of positive displacement, where a fixed volume of fluid is moved per cycle, making it ideal for applications that require consistent and accurate flow. The pump consists of a series of two rotors that turn within a casing, forming individual chambers between the rotors and casing wall. As the rotors turn, they trap the fluid in these chambers and move it through the pump, pushing it out under pressure.

The key feature of the circumferential piston design is its ability to handle high-viscosity fluids, shear-sensitive liquids, and even fluids containing solids or particulates. This design ensures minimal pulsation and smooth, steady flow, even under high-pressure conditions. The result is a pump that is gentle on your product, efficient in operation, and highly reliable over time.

FKL Features and Benefits

The Fristam FKL pump is packed with features that solve critical industry challenges:

Versatile Handling of Viscous and Shear-Sensitive Fluids

• Many applications require the transfer of fluids with high viscosity or delicate properties that cannot tolerate high shear forces. The FKL’s gentle pumping action preserves the integrity of shear-sensitive fluids, making it perfect for delicate products like food emulsions, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical suspensions.

Low Pulsation and Steady Flow

• Pulsation in pumps can lead to inconsistent product quality, damage to pipelines, or erratic metering in critical processes. The circumferential piston design ensures smooth, low-pulsation flow, making it ideal for accurate dosing, metering, and handling fragile products.

Reliability and Durability

• Many pumps fail under harsh conditions or high-pressure applications. The FKL pump’s heavy-duty construction and superior material choice provide long-lasting performance even in demanding environments, reducing downtime and maintenance costs. The diameter of Fristam’s solid 316L FKL shaft is up to 25% larger than other manufacturers’ shafts.  This decreases the chance of rotor deflection which could cause internal damage or premature wear.

Wide Range of Pressure and Flow Capacities

• Varying process demands require flexible pump solutions that can handle a range of pressures and flow rates. The FKL is adaptable to a wide range of flow capacities and can be configured to handle pressures of up to 500 psi, making it suitable for diverse applications.

Sanitary Design

• In industries like food & beverage and pharmaceuticals, hygiene and ease of cleaning are critical. The FKL pump is designed with smooth surfaces and minimal cavities, which allows for easy clean in place (CIP) and maintenance, helping to meet strict hygiene standards.

Interchangeable

• The FKL’s port-to-port dimensions can be customized for easy replacement of other inferior PD pumps in your production line, enabling a straightforward upgrade process.

Technical Specifications

The Fristam FKL Circumferential Piston Pump is available in various configurations to meet different industry requirements.

Available Options

Fristam offers a variety of customizable options to suit the needs of your specific application:

• Materials of Construction: 316L stainless steel, with optional coatings for corrosion resistance
• Multiple finish options available: 25 Ra, 20 Ra, 15 Ra, Electropolish
• Optional Covers: Jacketed, Pressure Relief
• Rotor Options For applications requiring high flow rates and greater efficiency.
• Seals: Single Mechanical, Double Mechanical, Silicon Carbide Stationary Options
• Drive Options: Available with various motor configurations. Adjustable speed options to optimize pump performance based on specific system needs.
• Connections: Customizable inlet and outlet sizes, including rectangular flange connections ensuring compatibility with your system and application
• Installation Flexibility: Can be mounted vertically or horizontally, upper or lower shaft position, vertical pedestal, and stainless steel baseplates

Where to Buy

Fristam’s FKL Circumferential Piston Pumps are available through your local authorized Fristam Pump distributor. Fristam offers expert consultations to help you select the best pump configuration for your application, and their support team is available for installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

For more information, contact Fristam or an authorize distributor today!