Hygienic Centrifugal Pump

What Is a Centrifugal Pump?

A centrifugal pump is a mechanical fluid-transfer device that delivers hydrodynamic energy to a liquid by applying centrifugal force through a rotating rotor called an impeller. The fluid enters the axis of the rapidly spinning impeller, passes through the vane tips, is thrown outward toward the circumference, and is pumped by the resulting pressure differential. In hygienic processes, a stainless steel housing and food-contact seal materials are used.

How Does a Centrifugal Pump Work?

A centrifugal pump operates in four basic steps:

1. Suction: The fluid enters the center of the impeller through the pump’s suction port.
2. Acceleration: The impeller, rotated by the AC motor, transfers kinetic energy to the liquid.
3. Centrifugal Force: The liquid is thrown outward along the circumference from the impeller’s vane tips.
4. Pressure Conversion: In the volute casing, kinetic energy is converted into pressure energy and the liquid exits through the discharge port.

Throughout this process, energy is transferred hydrodynamically — unlike positive-displacement pumps, the flow is continuous and vibration-free.

Advantages of the HOMMAK Centrifugal Pump

HOMMAK centrifugal pumps are optimized for long service life and a low total cost of ownership (TCO):

• Corrosion resistance — AISI 316L stainless steel provides durability against aggressive fluids
• Energy efficiency — Optimized open-impeller design and high-efficiency AC motor
• Low cavitation risk — A low NPSH value prevents premature cavitation in the pump
• Fast maintenance — The front-loading mechanical seal unit reduces downtime
• Quiet operation — Good mass balancing and vibration-free delivery
• Few moving parts — Simple design, long service life
• Compact layout — High power concentration, small installation footprint
• Wear protection — The pump shaft is protected by a wear sleeve
• Manufacturing flexibility — Custom sizing through domestic design and production

Technical Specifications

Our HOMMAK centrifugal pump series is manufactured in accordance with the surface-quality and material standards required by hygienic processes.

Material and Surface Quality

Property	Value
Product-contact material	AISI 316L stainless steel
Housing and external parts	AISI 304L stainless steel
Surface roughness	Ra ≤ 0.8 µm (finer on request)
Mechanical seal — standard	Carbon / silicon carbide
Mechanical seal — optional	Silicon carbide / silicon carbide

Operating Parameters

Property	Value
Maximum operating pressure	10 bar
Fluid density range	0.7 – 1.1 g/cm³
Motor type	High-efficiency AC motor
Speed control	Optimized AC motor drive
Impeller type	Open impeller — optimized for correct handling
Standard	CE
Hygiene	CIP / SIP compatible
Quality	ISO 9001 manufacturing

Design Advantages

• A single mechanical seal size for the entire pump series — simplifies spare-parts management
• Front-loading mechanical seal — no pump disassembly required for maintenance
• Easy-to-service cleaning unit
• Pump shaft protected by a wear sleeve
• Ergonomic design — smaller footprint

Application Areas

HOMMAK centrifugal pumps are preferred across all hygiene-critical processes, foremost in the dairy and milk-products sector — where they are most widely used as a stainless steel milk pump.

Dairy and Milk Products

Used for the transfer of milk, yogurt, ice cream, whey, cream cheese and fermented dairy products.

Food and Beverage

Suitable for viscous and low-viscosity fluids such as fruit concentrate, syrups, tahini, ketchup, fruit juices and gum arabic.

Pharmaceuticals

Preferred in high-purity processes such as antibiotics, ointments, syrups, vaccines, vitamins, enzymes and protein products.

Chemicals and Petrochemicals

Operates reliably in the transfer of paints, detergents, latex, greases, inks, lubricating oils and adhesives.

Cosmetics

For beauty creams, moisturizers, toothpaste, paraffin emulsion and resins.

Biotechnology

Used in sensitive biological processes such as bacteria, enzymes, viruses, plant cells, liposomes and algae production.

Certifications and Standards

• CE — European Union conformity mark
• ISO 9001 — Certified manufacturing under a quality management system
• CIP / SIP compatible — Designed for Clean-in-Place and Sterilize-in-Place procedures

HOMMAK Products Used Together

Our centrifugal pump integrates with the other HOMMAK equipment on your production line:

• High-Pressure Homogenizers — Supports the centrifugal pump on the feed/transfer line in dairy and emulsion processes
• High-Pressure Piston Pumps — A complementary solution for high-viscosity fluids
• High Shear Mixers — Integrated use for mixing and transfer lines
• Filling Machines — Product filling at the final stage of the line

Frequently Asked Questions

In which industries are centrifugal pumps used?

Centrifugal pumps are used for fluid transfer in the dairy and milk products, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemical and biotechnology sectors. HOMMAK centrifugal pumps are most commonly preferred for milk, yogurt, fruit juice, cream, whipped cream and olive oil applications.

What material is the HOMMAK centrifugal pump made from?

All product-contact parts are made from AISI 316L stainless steel, while the housing and external parts are made from AISI 304L stainless steel. The surface roughness is Ra ≤ 0.8 µm, in compliance with hygienic standards.

Is the centrifugal pump CIP and SIP compatible?

Yes. HOMMAK centrifugal pumps are designed in accordance with CIP (Clean-in-Place) and SIP (Sterilize-in-Place) procedures. Thanks to the easy-to-service cleaning unit and the front-loading mechanical seal, the cleaning cycle is fast and reliable.

What is the maximum operating pressure?

HOMMAK centrifugal pumps are designed to operate at a maximum of 10 bar. They are optimized for products with a fluid density range of 0.7 – 1.1 g/cm³.

How is cavitation prevented in a centrifugal pump?

The low NPSH (Net Positive Suction Head) value of HOMMAK centrifugal pumps limits the pressure drop on the suction line, preventing premature cavitation in the pump. Correct suction-line design and proper pump selection are also critical factors.

How is the mechanical seal maintained?

The mechanical seal unit features a front-loading design — the seal can be replaced without removing the pump from the system, minimizing line downtime. The standard seal face is carbon/silicon carbide, with silicon carbide/silicon carbide available as an option.

Do you offer custom sizes and capacities?

Yes. With the advantage of domestic design and manufacturing, HOMMAK Makina offers custom sizing and application engineering services tailored to each customer’s process requirements through its experienced engineering teams.