What is a vortex?
A vortex (plural: vortices) is a swirling fluid flow in which the streamlines follow a circular or spiral pattern. It consists of spiral motions around a center of rotation.
The vortex arises due to the pressure difference between two neighboring regions. When this occurs, the fluid tends to balance the system by moving toward that region and, eventually, changing the original flow direction, generating vorticity.
Vortices can be found in various places in nature, such as circular water currents caused by conflicting tides, when stirring a cup of coffee, around an island in the middle of the ocean, in hurricanes and tornadoes, or in the effect caused by air displacement at the tips of airplane wings. The latter is widely studied by the aeronautical industry as it increases aircraft drag. This effect is known as induced drag and is minimized by the presence of fins and winglets, which reduce air displacement along the aircraft wings.
(Source: Wikipedia)
The vortex pump
A vortex carries a lot—it is an incredible force…
Have you ever imagined channeling this action into a pipeline to move and lift particles, slurries, and long or short fibers within a flowing stream?
A pump can do this!
The Vortex pump, more easily identified as the UND III/Vortex, does exactly that!
OMEL has been supplying Vortex Pumps to the Brazilian and international markets for 70 years.
The Vortex Centrifugal Pump – UND III features a fully recessed impeller, allowing free passage of solids, where only 20% of the pumped fluid comes into contact with the impeller, greatly reducing shear and preserving the original characteristics of the fluid.
It is highly suitable for gentle pumping, meaning it hardly damages the pumped product and its contents, making it suitable even for pumping shrimp, fish fry, tomatoes, olives, and both short and long fibers.
It is often said that everything that enters through the suction inlet of a Vortex pump will exit through the discharge outlet without damage.
Its specially designed spiral casing is perfectly matched to the hydraulic system, providing completely free passage for solids.
Below is a diagram to illustrate how the UND III Vortex centrifugal pump operates:
Typical applications for the Vortex Centrifugal Pump
- Transfer of all types of suspended solids and crystals
- Transfer of chemical products, abrasive and corrosive fluids, slurries, and sludge with high mechanical efficiency
- Transfer of fluids with a high concentration of suspended fibers, always ensuring air completely free of oil
- Domestic and industrial wastewater applications with solid content of various sizes, providing energy savings
- Gentle pumping of sensitive liquids or liquids containing sensitive materials such as: salt crystals, transfer of shrimp and fish in farming operations, whole tomatoes, fruits, olives transported on a large scale through a fluid stream.
Main markets where Vortex Centrifugal Pumps are used
- Sugar mills and distilleries
- Ethanol and other biofuel production plants
- Water and wastewater treatment plants
- Pulp and paper industries
- Mining industries
- Steel industries
- Power generation industries
The importance of correctly selecting the specifications and materials of a centrifugal pump
Our team of specialists is qualified to analyze the needs of your application and quickly select the solution with the best cost-benefit ratio. In addition, we also evaluate the physical environment of your operational plant, offering various options for connections, accessories, instrumentation, and sensors.
