About GEAR PUMPS
Gear Pumps: Excellent At Handling High-viscosity Liquids With A Pulse-free Flow
With over 25 years of experience, Hunter Pumps Industrial is an industry leader for end-to-end industrial pump solutions across Australia. Specialising in gear pumps, we handle fluids with high thickness efficiently.
Our large range of services and top-quality products make us the best choice for all your pumping needs. We are committed to delivering reliable performance and smooth, pulse-free flow in all our applications.
Key Differentiators of Air-Operated Diaphragm Pumps
Gear Pumps Features and Benefits
- Abrasion-resistant
- Can handle a wide range of viscosities and density
- Compact and simple
- Economic operation
- Easy to maintain
- Exposed components can be easily serviced
- Higher work efficiency
- Low capital cost
- Requires minimal maintenance
- Self-priming
- Sustains higher pressure and flow rate
- Volumetric efficiency of up to 95% at the optimal speed
- Have better suction capabilities
- Steady, Controlled, Pulseless Flow
- Replacement part and pump interchangeability
Industries and Applications
Gear pumps are ideal for high-viscosity fluids with few suspended solids. These fluids, including paints and soaps, can cause damage to a gear pump’s parts due to tight mechanical clearances, reducing pump efficiency and lifespan.
Gear pumps are widely used in different industries and applications, including:
- Automotive industry Gear pumps are used for delivering fuel from tanks to engines and lubricating machine parts.
- Manufacturing industry They are used in the transfer of bulk or highly viscous fluids.
- Chemical industry Gear pumps are employed for their ability to handle a wide range of viscosities and temperatures.
- Petrochemical industry They play a crucial role in transferring various petrochemicals.
- Food & Beverage industry Gear pumps are used for conveying food products such as chocolate and peanut butter.
- Pumping oil in hydraulic systems
- Delivering fuel from fuel tanks to engines
- Lubrication of machine parts
- Cooling systems
- Liquid soap
- Paints, resins, and polymers
- Small-scale circulation of hot oils
- Conveying food products such as chocolate and peanut butter
- Asphalt Roofing
- Asphalt Emulsion
What is a Gear Pump?
A gear pump, a type of rotary positive displacement (PD) pump, is expertly designed to move fluids, including oils, adhesives, and paints. It achieves this by repeatedly enclosing a fixed volume of these high-viscosity fluids within its interlocking cogs or gears. The gear pump then utilises a cyclic pumping action to transfer the fluid out of the pump, creating a vacuum force that moves the liquid efficiently. The gear pump ensures a smooth, pulse-free flow that is proportional to the rotational speed of its gears, offering reliable performance across various applications.
How Does a Gear Pump Work?
Gear pumps utilise the motion of rotating gears to transfer liquids. A gear pump works based on the principle of positive displacement. Here’s how they work:
- Initially, the gear pump starts operating when energy is supplied to the drive shaft, prompting the driver gear to rotate via the prime mover's power.
- The idler gear, which meshes with the driver gear, starts rotating in the opposite direction. This rotation between the teeth of two or three rotating gears creates a partial vacuum on the pump's suction side.
- The generated vacuum pulls the fluid into the gear, trapping it between the gear and the housing.
- As the gears continue to rotate, the trapped fluid moves from the inlet to the outlet side. This process repeats in the driven gear.
- Since the gears are fully meshed, the fluid can't move directly from the inlet to the outlet side without their rotation.
- Lastly, the flow in gear pumps depends on the cavity size between gear teeth, rotation speed, and slippage, which increases as the pump wears.
For reliable and efficient gear pumps, consider Hunter Pumps, your go-to source for all your pumping needs.
Types of Gear Pumps
Types of Gear Pumps
External gear pumps consist of two identical interlocking gears. Liquid enters the pump’s cavities, where it is captured by the gear teeth. It then flows from the inlet to the discharge, where its volume is reduced and the liquid is expelled from the pump under pressure. External gear pumps are commonly used in various applications.
- Acids
- Alcohols
- Chemical additives
- Chemical mixing or blending
- Fuel oils and lube oils
- Hydraulic applications (industrial, agricultural and mobile)
- Solvents
Internal Gear Pumps
With two interlocking gears of different sizes, the smaller one spins inside the larger one. The fluid flows through the pump just like in an external gear pump, but the gears interact at specific points in the process. External gear pumps have various common applications, such as:
- Bitumen, asphalt and tar
- Food products include sugar, cacao butter, vegetable oils, vegetable fats, peanut butter, chocolate, and corn syrup.
- Fuel oils and lube oils
- Inks, paints and pigments
- Polymers and resins
Comparison
The following table provides a comparison between external and internal gear types:
| Â | External Gear Pumps | Internal Gear Pumps |
| Rotor Assembly | External gears form rotor assembly | Assembly consists of an internal and an external gear in the rotor |
| Rotor Support | Four bearings support rotor shafts | Maximum of two bearings provide rotor support |
| Design | Compact pump design | Design can be bulky and less efficient for top-tier models |
| Outlet Sizes & Capacities | Large outlet sizes, high capacities | Outlet sizes are small with medium to low capacities |
| Gear Designs | Spur, helical, herringbone | Spur gears are used exclusively, with a wedge needed for gear separation |
| Ideal Usage | Ideal for medium/low temperature, high pressure pumping | Suitable for high temperature, moderate pressure and low capacity pumping |
If you’re not sure if gear pumps are the right fit for you or if you want to learn more about the types of gear pumps we offer, feel free to reach out to our expert team. You can get in touch with us anytime!
WHY CHOOSE HUNTER PUMPS
Hunter Pumps: Your Trusted Gear Pumps Provider & Servicer in Australia
Hunter Pumps Industrial is your trusted pump solutions provider across Australia, offering an extensive range of Gear Pumps. Our rotary pumps are the best equipment for dispensing operations, filling, and general transfer. These pumps create a pulseless flow, moving fluid using built-in gears, perfect for handling viscous and abrasive fluids in various industrial applications. We source our Gear Pumps and spare parts from the world’s most trusted manufacturers. And, we have trained, experienced staff ready to provide quick and effective servicing.
Gear pumps are excellent at handling high-viscosity liquids such as oils, paints, resins, or foodstuffs. Hunter Pumps supplies the best quality gear pumps from our trusted brands, and. also designs, tests, services and repairs all gear pumps.
Contact us today at Hunter Pumps Industrial for reliable, efficient Gear Pump solutions and expert servicing across Australia.
Ask our team of specialists
Get in touch with Hunter Pumps to schedule your free pump assessment
- Pump design assessment
- Hazard & risk assessment
- Identification of signs of wear & tear
- Advice & recommendations
- Free assessment report
- Complimentary quotes
- Assistance in developing a preventative pump maintenance plan
Contact Hunter Pumps today
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, operating gear pumps without fluid can lead to damage even in brief durations.
The gears need fluid for lubrication—without it, they can quickly deteriorate. Similarly, the mechanical seal needs fluid for cooling and lubrication. Without fluid, it can overheat, crack, and cause leaks, potentially leading to motor damage.
An integral bypass valve acts as a temporary safety measure against overpressure. But for long-lasting protection, it's a good idea to have an external bypass that redirects to the fluid source tank. The valve typically opens and recirculates fluid within the pump head when pressure exceeds about 10% of the working pressure.
Yes, all pump types, including gear pumps, can cavitate due to inadequate suction pressure, irrespective of their operating speed.
Pump selection primarily depends on the fluid type, required flow rate, and application's pressure requirements. Fluid viscosity, temperature, and achievable pressure also play a role. There's often overlap between different models, with the final choice based on efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Our team at Hunter Pumps can assist in making the right selection.
