Börger rotary lobe pumps are among the most widely used solutions for pumping viscous, abrasive and contaminated media in industry and the oil and gas sector. The German manufacturer Börger has been building these pumps for several decades, and in that time they have become an industry standard wherever ordinary centrifugal pumps cannot do the job.
What a rotary lobe pump is and how it differs from other types
A rotary lobe pump is a positive-displacement pump in which liquid is moved by two synchronised lobes rotating inside a working chamber. Unlike centrifugal pumps, which create flow through the centrifugal force of a rotating impeller, Börger rotary lobe pumps literally «carry» a portion of liquid from the inlet to the outlet in a closed volume between the lobes and the housing.
This fundamental difference gives rotary lobe pumps a number of advantages:
- steady capacity regardless of the viscosity of the medium;
- the ability to handle contaminated and abrasive liquids without rapid wear;
- tolerance of dry running for a limited time without damaging the pump;
- smooth, pulsation-free delivery;
- reversibility — the pump can run in either flow direction.
How a Börger rotary lobe pump works
Inside the pump housing are two lobes of identical geometry rotating towards each other, synchronised by timing gears in the gearbox compartment. As they rotate, closed cavities form between the lobes and the housing walls — and it is into these that the pumped liquid enters on the suction side.
As the lobes turn, these cavities move towards the discharge port, where the liquid is displaced into the pipeline. Because the lobes are synchronised through an external gearbox, they do not touch each other or the housing — this reduces wear and allows abrasive media with solids to be pumped.
Key design components of a Börger rotary lobe pump:
- a pump housing with replaceable wear-resistant liners;
- two lobes (two- or three-vane, depending on the model and duty);
- a timing gearbox;
- mechanical shaft seals selected to suit the pumped medium;
- a drive unit (electric motor, hydraulic drive or tractor PTO, depending on the version).
Where Börger rotary lobe pumps are used
Because they tolerate contaminated and viscous media, Börger rotary lobe pumps are used across a wide range of industries:
- oil and gas — pumping sludge, drilling fluids and petroleum products;
- agriculture — pumping liquid manure and biomass for biogas plants;
- food industry — pumping viscous food products and semi-finished goods;
- municipal services — pumping wastewater and sludge from treatment works;
- chemical industry — pumping aggressive and viscous chemical formulations.
The Asia Supply catalogue features various versions of Börger rotary lobe pumps — from portable pumps for mobile use to fixed installations and pumps mounted on tanker vehicles.
Advantages of Börger rotary lobe pumps over comparable products
There is no shortage of rotary lobe pump manufacturers on the market, but Börger’s solutions stand out thanks to:
- a patented lobe timing system that reduces vibration and noise;
- a modular design — worn parts are replaced without dismantling the whole pump;
- a wide range of sizes for different capacities and pressures;
- the ability to adapt the pump to the customer’s specific duty — from housing material to seal type.
How to select a rotary lobe pump for your duty
Several parameters matter when selecting a rotary lobe pump:
- the viscosity and abrasiveness of the medium;
- the capacity required (m³/h) and the discharge pressure;
- the temperature of the pumped liquid;
- the operating conditions — a fixed installation or a mobile solution;
- material requirements (food production, chemical resistance and so on).
Asia Supply specialists help select the optimum Börger pump model for the specific operating conditions — from the properties of the medium to certification requirements for oil and gas facilities in Kazakhstan.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Börger rotary lobe pump be used for abrasive media?
Yes. The design with synchronised lobes and wear-resistant housing liners is made specifically for abrasive and contaminated liquids.
What service life do Börger rotary lobe pumps have?
With the right model for the duty and proper maintenance, the pumps last many years thanks to the modular design and the ability to replace wear parts.
Can they be supplied with certification for oil and gas facilities?
Yes, deliveries to Kazakhstan come with the certification required for industrial and oil and gas facilities.
If you need to select a Börger rotary lobe pump for a specific duty, contact the Asia Supply specialists. We will help identify the optimum model, prepare a quotation and arrange delivery with a full set of documents.