Positive Displacement Liquid Feed Pump

The Positive Displacement Liquid Feed Pump is designed for controlled transfer and distribution of liquid feed in commercial pig production. It is particularly suitable for systems handling viscous feed mixtures, higher dry-matter recipes and applications that require stable delivery pressure.

Unlike a centrifugal pump, a positive displacement pump moves a defined volume of material during each pumping cycle. This principle makes it well suited to thick liquid feed and applications where consistent flow must be maintained despite changes in system pressure or feed viscosity.

In computer-controlled liquid feeding installations, the pump transfers prepared feed from the mixing tank through ring lines, branch lines and feed valves to individual pig pens or feeding stations. Frequency-controlled operation can adjust pump output to different feeding stages and distribution requirements.

The pump can form part of a complete liquid feeding project together with mixing tanks, rinse water tanks, feed valves, pipeline systems, weighing equipment, sensors and a central feeding computer. Pump capacity, motor power and connection arrangement are selected according to feed properties, transport distance and farm layout.

• Positive Displacement Principle: Delivers a defined volume per pumping cycle for stable liquid-feed transport.
• Suitable for Viscous Feed: Particularly appropriate for thicker recipes and higher dry-matter liquid feed where strong pumping performance is required.
• Controlled Delivery Pressure: Supports feeding systems with long pipelines, multiple valves or higher hydraulic resistance.
• Variable-Speed Operation: Frequency-controlled configurations allow pump output to be adjusted to actual feed demand.
• Reliable Feed Transport: Designed to move prepared liquid feed from the feed kitchen to animal feeding points consistently.
• Accurate System Operation: Stable flow supports precise computer-controlled distribution through individual feed valves.
• Flexible Feed Formulation: Suitable for recipes containing water, ground grain and compatible liquid or moist feed ingredients.
• Commercial Farm Design: Selected components can be specified for continuous use in demanding pig farm environments.
• Automation Integration: Can be connected with VFD controls, pressure monitoring, feeding computers and automated valve systems.
• Project-Specific Selection: Capacity, pressure, motor power and pump technology can be configured according to project requirements.

• Pump Housing: Contains the positive-displacement pumping elements and forms the main feed passage.
• Displacement Elements: Rotary lobes, progressive-cavity elements or another suitable positive-displacement mechanism can be selected according to feed characteristics.
• Electric Motor: Provides the mechanical power required for liquid-feed transport.
• Gear Reducer / Drive Assembly: Matches motor speed and torque to the required pump operating range where applicable.
• Mechanical Sealing System: Helps isolate the process medium from bearings and drive components.
• Suction Connection: Connects the pump to the liquid-feed mixing or storage tank.
• Discharge Connection: Transfers pressurized feed into the main distribution pipeline.
• Base Frame: Provides rigid alignment and stable installation of the motor and pump assembly.
• Variable Frequency Drive: Optional VFD provides adjustable pump speed and controlled startup.
• Pressure and Safety Components: Pressure sensors, gauges, bypass arrangements or protective devices can be incorporated according to system engineering requirements.

Prepared liquid feed enters the suction side of the pump from the mixing tank. Rotating or progressing displacement elements capture defined volumes of feed and move them through the pump housing toward the discharge connection.

Because the operating principle is based on positive displacement rather than primarily on centrifugal force, the pump can maintain useful conveying performance with more viscous mixtures and under higher pipeline resistance.

The pressurized liquid feed is transported through the main pipeline to the required feed valves. A feeding computer opens the appropriate valves according to the programmed recipe, animal group and feeding schedule.

With frequency-controlled operation, motor speed can be adjusted according to required flow, pipeline condition or feeding phase. This allows one pump system to serve different operating demands while avoiding unnecessary full-speed operation.

After feeding, compatible installations can use water or compressed-air-assisted systems to clear or rinse the feed lines as part of an automated hygiene program.

• Commercial sow farms
• Gestation and breeding units
• Farrowing-house liquid feeding systems
• Piglet and weaner feeding installations
• Growing and finishing pig farms
• Higher dry-matter liquid feed distribution
• Long-distance liquid feed transport
• Ring-line liquid feeding systems
• Residue-free liquid feeding installations
• Liquid feed transfer between process tanks
• New commercial pig farm construction
• Existing farm feeding-system modernization
• Integrated steel structure pig farm projects

• Required flow capacity
• Required delivery pressure
• Motor power
• Motor voltage, phase and frequency
• Pump displacement technology
• Pump body and wetted-part material
• Suction and discharge connection size
• Variable frequency drive
• Pressure transmitter and gauge
• Overpressure protection or bypass arrangement
• Base frame and mounting configuration
• Integration with mixing and rinse water tanks
• PLC or liquid feeding computer interface
• OEM configuration available upon request
• Designed according to local climate and farm conditions

Pump Location: Install the pump close to the liquid feed mixing tank where practical. A short, properly sized suction line helps maintain reliable feed supply to the pump.

Foundation: The pump and motor should be installed on a rigid, level foundation or engineered base frame to maintain alignment and minimize vibration.

Suction Piping: Avoid unnecessary restrictions, sharp bends and air pockets on the suction side. Pipe diameter should be selected according to viscosity and required flow rate.

Discharge Protection: Because a positive displacement pump can continue generating pressure against a restricted discharge, suitable overpressure protection should be included in the system design.

VFD Commissioning: Minimum and maximum operating speeds should be configured according to pump characteristics, feed viscosity and required delivery performance.

Cleaning: The pump should be incorporated into the farm's liquid-feed rinsing and hygiene procedure. Feed residues should not be allowed to remain inside the pump during prolonged shutdown periods.

Routine Maintenance: Periodically inspect seals, bearings, drive components, couplings, pressure devices and wetted parts for leakage or wear. Maintenance intervals should follow the selected pump design and actual operating conditions.

In a typical commercial pig farm, the pump is installed beneath or near a weighed liquid-feed mixing tank. Once the recipe has been prepared, the feeding computer starts the pump and distributes the mixture through the main feed pipeline to programmed feeding valves.

Positive displacement pumps are particularly useful for piglet and sow applications, as well as transfer duties, where higher viscosity or system pressure can make a centrifugal pump less suitable.

For large production sites, frequency-controlled pumps can be combined with multiple feed circuits, automated valves, rinse-water systems and centralized farm management controls.

Final pump selection should be based on animal numbers, feed recipes, dry-matter content, required flow, pipe diameter, total transport distance, elevation changes and hydraulic resistance.

Q: Why use a positive displacement pump for liquid pig feed?

A: Positive displacement pumps are well suited to viscous feed mixtures and applications requiring stable flow at higher delivery pressures.

Q: How does it differ from a centrifugal feed pump?

A: A centrifugal pump transfers energy to the liquid through a rotating impeller, while a positive displacement pump physically moves defined volumes through the pump. The latter is often preferred for more viscous feed or higher-pressure applications.

Q: What flow capacity is available?

A: Capacity is selected according to the project. Comparable commercial liquid feeding systems use positive displacement pumps with approximately 130, 200, 300 and 400 L/min conveying capacities.

Q: What pressure can the pump provide?

A: The required pressure depends on system design. Comparable current liquid-feeding pump configurations operate with maximum delivery pressures around 4 to 6 bar.

Q: Can the pump handle feed with a high dry-matter content?

A: Positive displacement pumps are particularly suitable for more viscous liquid feed. The allowable dry-matter content depends on recipe characteristics, particle size, pump type and pipeline design.

Q: Is variable-speed control available?

A: Yes. Frequency-controlled operation is commonly used to match pump speed to different feeding and transfer requirements.

Q: Can the pump be integrated with a feeding computer?

A: Yes. The pump can be incorporated into an automatic liquid feeding system together with feed valves, tank weighing, pressure monitoring and computer-controlled feeding sequences.

Q: Does a positive displacement pump require pressure protection?

A: Yes. Appropriate overpressure protection should be included because the pump can continue building pressure if the discharge line becomes blocked or closed.

Q: What information is required for pump selection?

A: Please provide required flow rate, feed composition, approximate dry-matter content, maximum particle size, pipe diameter, total transport distance, elevation difference, required pressure, voltage and control-system requirements.