FL–CH Helical Impeller Centrifugal Pump

The ultimate equipment for pumping delicate solids and shear-sensitive fluids. The FL-CH series incorporates a helical-geometry impeller in AISI 316 stainless steel that, operating at low speed (1500 rpm), allows the transfer of high flow rates (up to 55 m³/h) of pastes, curds, skins, and legumes without altering the physical integrity of the product. These pumps are primarily used in the pumping-over process in the winemaking sector. However, they are also used in the food industry for the transportation of olives, chickpeas, beans, etc., or solids in suspension.

Additionally, their great capacity and careful handling of dairy products allow them to be used for pumping curd, yogurt, milk, cheese, etc..

Technical specifications

Maximum flow rate: 55 m³/h (FL40CH model)
Max. head: 12 m.w.c.
Wetted material: AISI 316 stainless steel
Impeller type: High-performance helical
Motor power: 1.5 kW – 3.0 kW (1500 rpm)
Surface finish: Food-grade (Satin - Ra < 0.8 µm) / Industrial
Connections: DIN 11851 (Standard)

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Description

The FL-CH series was conceived by InoxMIM’s engineering department to solve one of the most complex problems in the food and winemaking industry: pumping fluids with a high load of suspended solids without causing breakage, emulsification, or mechanical crushing.

Unlike centrifugal pumps with closed or semi-open impellers, which violently impact the fluid with straight blades, this series bases its success on an innovative helical-design impeller.

This unique geometry, which fuses the principles of an Archimedes screw with a centrifugal volute, generates an extremely smooth and progressive flow transition from the suction inlet to the discharge.

By sliding the fluid instead of striking it, the pump is able to channel whole, fragile solids (such as olives, grapes, legumes, or milk curds) keeping them 100% intact. The entire hydraulic chamber is manufactured by stamping in AISI 316 stainless steel, ensuring a pore-free surface, resistant to corrosion by organic acids and perfectly suitable for direct food contact.

Customization

Pumping pastes, sugar-rich musts, or dairy curds requires superior sealing configurations to avoid premature failures. For this reason, the FL-CH series is highly configurable to shield equipment reliability during the season:

Large-bore process connections: Supplied as standard under hygienic DIN 11851, its volute allows machining to incorporate Garolla fittings (the undisputed standard in the wine sector for passing grape-harvest pastes), as well as CLAMP, SMS, or GAS thread ends.
Active mechanical seal protection: Can be fitted with a single mechanical seal (Stainless steel/Graphite/NBR). However, when pumping fluids that tend to crystallize, dry out, or adhere to the friction faces (must sugars, cheese proteins), we offer the installation of a mechanical seal flushing system or the implementation of a seal with silicon carbide faces and Viton gaskets. This ensures constant lubrication and prevents breakage due to abrasion.
Mobility and control systems: For operations that require spatial flexibility, the unit is supplied on a hygienic-design tripod or integrated into a stainless steel tubular trolley with a control panel. Adding a frequency inverter to the panel allows the operator to adjust the acceleration ramp and rotational speed at the tank side, adapting to the exact delicacy of each batch.

Performance Curve

To protect the integrity of the raw material, it is a thermodynamic imperative to reduce impact speed. For this reason, the entire FL-CH series is powered exclusively by 4-pole motors operating at 1500 rpm, structured into five models to cover any production scale:

FL20CH and FL40CH models (delicate and compact processes): Equipped with 1.5 and 3 kW motors, they move from 30 to 55 m³/h with extreme gentleness. They are the benchmark equipment for transferring moderate volumes in artisanal cheese dairies, ready-meal plants, or lees microfiltration.

Applications

The synergistic combination of the helical impeller and low-speed operation makes the FL-CH an irreplaceable investment for sectors where product damage directly penalizes final quality:

Winemaking industry (pumping-over and pomace): It is the master pump for winemaking. It draws must from the bottom of the tank and pumps it over the cap of skins without crushing the seeds or tearing the skins. This prevents the dreaded extraction of bitter tannins and herbaceous notes that would ruin the wine’s organoleptic profile.
Dairy and cheese sector: Direct pumping of curd, yogurts and processed cheeses from the fermentation vats. Its extremely low shear ( shear) prevents the protein matrix and curd from breaking, preventing syneresis (whey loss) and ensuring the ideal texture of the final product.
Canning industry and ready meals: Transport of carrier fluids with large solids completely intact. Ideal for the safe pumping of olives, chickpeas, beans, fruit cubes for jams, soups with whole vegetables, or sauces with pieces of meat.