What is a sliding vane pump?

A sliding vane pump is a type of positive displacement pump that uses sliding vanes to move fluids. These vanes, which are typically mounted in slots within a rotor, move in and out as the rotor rotates within a casing. This creates chambers that expand and contract, drawing fluid in and pushing it out.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Positive Displacement:
Sliding vane pumps are positive displacement pumps, meaning they move a fixed amount of fluid with each rotation of the rotor.
Rotor and Vanes:
A rotor with slots houses the sliding vanes. As the rotor spins, the vanes slide in and out of the slots, creating chambers that trap and move the fluid.
Eccentric Casing:
The rotor is positioned eccentrically within the pump casing, creating a crescent-shaped space. This shape is crucial for the pumping action, as the changing volume of the chambers forces fluid through the pump.
Self-Adjusting:
The vanes can self-adjust for wear, maintaining flow rates over time.
Applications:
Sliding vane pumps are often used for low- to medium-viscosity fluids, including those at high temperatures, and are common in the oil and gas industry, as well as for handling various chemicals and solvents.