Everything You Need To Know About Screw Pumps

Some of the most versatile, solidly built and reliable pumps in the marketplace today are screw pumps. Is a screw pump right for you and your application? This article explores how screw pumps work, types of screw pumps, applications that utilize screw pumps and the advantages and disadvantages of screw pumps.

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What is a Screw Pump?

A screw pump is a type of positive displacement pump typically using two or more screws that intermesh to pressurize fluids and move them through the system. The movement of the liquid is created with the screws rotating on an axis creating positive displacement suction to help push the fluids from the inlet to the outlet where it can be discharged. The fluid pressure increases as it moves through the system before being ultimately expelled. Screw pumps are capable of handling viscous and cleaner, thinner fluids.

Photo: Ampco SLH-4G Twin Screw Pump

What are Some Applications that Utilize Screw Pumps?

Since screw pumps deliver the highest flow rate among positive displacement pumps they are perfect for moving viscous and demanding fluids, such as asphalt, oil, gas, and multi-phase liquids (liquid and vapor mixed together in a system). They are also popular in the manufacturing, food and beverage, wastewater, and mining industries. Single screw pumps (progressive cavity pumps) are designed for storm water pumping, sewage inlet pumps, drainage pumping and wastewater.

Picture: Screw Pumps at Wastewater Management Plant

What are Types of Screw Pumps?

Single Screw Pumps – The single screw pump, widely known as a progressive cavity pump, is technically not in the category of screw pumps. They feature a rotor and stator that differ from the screw component found in screw pumps. The shaft in a progressive cavity pump is somewhat twisted resembling a screw.

Twin Screw Pumps – The twin screw pump, also referred as a double screw pump, functions by using two intermeshing screws. Due to a simple, but effective design, the screws don’t have to make contact with each other, which aids in extending the lifespan of the pump. They are ideal for transfer applications because of their high head and high flow attributes.

Triple Screw Pumps – Triple screw pumps are often used for smaller pumping systems, such as lubrication operations. They typically designate one driving screw interconnected with other screws to generate pressure and move fluid.  A disadvantage of the triple screw pump is that the screws don’t come into contact with each other, which usually limits the pump to handling only clean liquids.

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Four Screw Pumps – Four Screw pumps are basically combining two twin screw pumps together, but with two screws for each rotor in opposite directions.  It works with the pumps absorbing liquid through the suction port and dividing the liquid evenly. The divided liquid is then routed to both pump ends. The two liquids flow with the help of the pump towards the center and reunite before being expelled from the discharge side. Four screw pumps are often utilized for oil transport pipelines and multi-phase applications.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Screw Pumps

Since screw pumps can be used for a wide variety of flow rates and pressures they are some of the most multifaceted pumps in the industry. They are capable of constant flow rates, have a controllable output and operate quietly and smoothly with low pulsation. They also have high volumetric efficiency and are capable of self-priming. One of the main disadvantages of screw pumps is that they can be expensive. This is due to the different rotating components involved and that they are often produced with the high quality materials to suit specific applications. Screw Pumps have low volumetric and mechanical efficiencies due to the nature of their design. They are also typically heavy, large units that are sensitive to viscosity changes of fluid.

If you are interested in purchasing a screw pump for your application, contact Anderson Process today. We partner with several screw pump manufacturers, such as Ampco Pumps, Blackmer, Gusher Pumps, Hayward Gordon, Roto Pumps, and several others.

Manufacturing & Testing

World leaders in manufacturing screw compressors.

Today in thousands of applications worldwide, Howden screw compressors provide high integrity, low maintenance solutions for liquid chilling, direct refrigeration and gas compression. Our comprehensive testing standards is key to remaining committed to manufacturing the highest quality compressors in the industry.

The industry’s largest and most versatile range of oil injected and oil free screw compressors are tested in our Renfrew centre, Scotland.

• Site Area (m²): 65,000
• Factory Area (m²): 10,500
• Quality ISO 9001:2015
• Health & Safety ISO 45001:2018
• Environmental ISO 14001:2015
• 5 Test Beds

The digitally enabled Test Suite - Transforming your equipment testing experience

Equipment testing is an essential part of purchasing a Howden Compressor. Many of our customers observe the compressor testing by traveling to Renfrew, from all over the world, to validate the performance and reliability of their product before being shipped.

Remote testing

The introduction of the new test studio allows the customers to witness the test of their equipment remotely, from anywhere in the world. The studio is equipped with live camera feeds and live trending screens showing the data in real-time, directly from the test bed. All of this data can be accessed on any smart device given there is an internet connection. Providing our customers with the option of remote testing eliminates the requirement to travel, reducing time and cost commitments, making the testing experience more convenient.

Transforming the test experience with Augmented Reality

Utilising state-of-the-art Augmented Reality (AR) technology allows for a truly transformative test experience. The Test Engineer will complete the live test whilst wearing a Microsoft HoloLens device. On the live video feed, the customer will watch the live test and with the addition of AR, the real-time data values will be augmented on top on the equipment. This provides the customer with the live test and the test values, all available on one screen.

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