LKH
The Alfa Laval LKH centrifugal pump is a highly efficient, chemical-resistant pump for gentle product treatment. Advanced design with premium motor and semi-open impeller makes the transfer of process easy and minimizes recirculation. Precision-engineered, the LKH increases productivity and delivers greater energy efficiency than similar pumps. Perfect for use in hygienic applications, it meets the most stringent requirements of the dairy, food, beverage, and personal care industries.
Gentle product treatment, accurate flow control and solid energy savings
- Enhance product safety and quality with hygienic design with optimal cleanability
- Maximize uptime and minimize maintenance due to robust mechanical design and modular, easy-to-maintain front-loading seals
- Increase productivity and sustainability due to high energy efficiency and reduced use of cleaning media, minimal waste and smaller carbon footprint
- Reduce capital investment due to high pump efficiency and wide performance envelope, eliminating the need to arrange pumps in series or in parallel
- Comply with international hygienic design requirements and minimize the risk of contamination
Get high pump efficiency, gentle product treatment and substantial energy savings in hygienic applications from the premium Alfa Laval LKH centrifugal pump. It outperforms similar pumps due to its robust mechanical design, wide performance envelope, long-lasting seals, and simplified maintenance routine. Compliance with international standards ensures process hygiene.
With its wide performance envelope, the LKH helps reduce capital investment. It comes in 13 sizes, handling flow rates up to 500 m3/h and differential pressures up to 11 bar (160 psi) at 50Hz. The LKH is also available in specific executions to meet special requirements, such as evaporation, high-pressure, self-priming and high-purity applications.
A premium performer
As Alfa Laval’s premium range of centrifugal pumps, the LKH centrifugal pumps are distinguished by high efficiency, low energy consumption, several options, and a wide range of flow rates and pressures.
High efficiency
A precision-engineered pump and motor provide high energy efficiency and gentle product treatment. The robust design and tight tolerances, together with the advanced impeller design, minimize recirculation and ensure efficient energy transfer.
Lower energy consumption
The LKH centrifugal pump generally delivers greater energy efficiency than similar premium pumps and up to 50% compared to similar mid-range pumps.
Hygienic design
Controlled compression gaskets, crevice-free interior, external mechanical seal, and optimized impeller with balancing holes ensure hygiene and cleanability. To safeguard hygiene further, perfectly aligned components and joints with elastomers tightened to a predefined compression minimize the elastomer product contact surfaces.
Easy maintenance
Positioning the shaft seal outside the pump eases maintenance, ensuring difficult-to-clean components do not come into direct contact with the product. The front-loading design enables quick, easy replacement, boosting uptime and reducing costs. Interchangeable single, single flushed, and double seals simplify spare parts inventory.
Warranty
Alfa Laval provides a three-year warranty for all non-wearing parts, provided genuine parts are used.
Different models for different applications
Several different LKH pump models are available to meet the requirements of different applications:
LKH UltraPure for biotech and pharmaceutical applications
LKHPF for high-pressure applications*
LKH Multistage for high outlet pressures*
LKH Evap a dedicated evaporator pump*
*To learn more about the different models, go to “How it works”.
How it works
Operating principle
The impeller of the LKH centrifugal pump is mounted on a shaft and driven by an electric motor. The shaft turns, transferring the rotational energy to the fluid passing through the pump. The centrifugal force of the fluid increases the fluid’s kinetic energy and velocity as well as the pressure in the pump. The centrifugal force then directs the fluid towards the pump outlet.
Pump range
The LKH centrifugal pump is available in 13 sizes to handle capacities up to 500 m3/hour and pressures up to 11 bar at 50 Hz. Options include different types of shaft seals and elastomer materials, casing drain, heating jacket, and various surface finishes.
Unique impeller design
The semi-open impeller with a unique multi-vane design ensures particularly low NPSHr (Net Positive Suction Head required), which helps prevent cavitation and minimizes the risk of mechanical damage. It also features balancing holes that enhance circulation around the shaft seal and reduce axial forces. This maximizes cleanability while reducing wear on the shaft seal and motor bearings.
External shaft seal
With the spring and washers mounted on the atmospheric side, the front-loading shaft seal contributes to fast, easy and inexpensive maintenance. It takes just a few minutes to replace the shaft seal. Its balanced design minimizes the risk of seal opening during unforeseen pressure shock.
Optimized shaft seal
One shaft seal fits a wide pump range. The same LKH single shaft seal fits most LKH pump models and all SolidC pump models. Interchanging the seal with either an optional single or double flushed shaft seal takes minutes using a few extra components, thereby reducing inventory and making wear parts replacement quick and easy.
Compression coupling
The compression coupling securely attaches the stub shaft to the motor shaft with precision alignment. Setup is simple, operations secure, noise and vibration minimized, and the service life of both the shaft seal and motor prolonged.