Viscous products, or thick liquids, present unique challenges in many industries due to their sticky and resistant flow characteristics. These substances, which can range from oils and gels to syrups and creams, are difficult (or impossible) to pump with conventional centrifugal pumps. Flux has the answer - a high-performance, high viscosity barrel pump designed specifically for removing such materials from drums or IBCs. The Viscopower is a high viscosity, positive displacement barrel pump, suitable for handling material with typical viscosities <100,000 mPas. Ensure your business maintains operational efficiency while minimising product waste and reducing manual handling, with Viscopower.
In industries such as food processing and cosmetics formulation, dealing with thick liquids requires pumps that not only handle a wide range of viscosities, but also provide precise flow control – while pumping safely and hygienically. Our high viscosity barrel pumps are built to meet these requirements, making them an essential tool for operations that demand high-performance fluid transfer.
The Flux Viscopower is the World’s most advanced high-viscosity barrel pump. It’s the ultimate solution for efficiently and hygienically transferring viscous liquids. Here’s why the Viscopower stands out:
A Flux high-viscosity barrel pump handles thick, challenging fluids with precision and efficiency. Listed below are examples of viscous products that Flux pumps are suitable for:
The food industry values honey for its rich flavour and preservative properties. It enhances the texture and consistency of products such as cereals, granola bars and bakery glazes. Honey's viscosity is influenced by factors such as temperature, water content and floral composition.
Honey is a thixotropic liquid. At cooler temperatures, honey becomes more viscous, while higher temperatures, increased moisture content and agitation reduce its viscosity. Honey is adhesive and sticky, making it quite difficult to pump, particularly at colder temperatures. Pressure losses in the pump and discharge pipework will be high. In addition to its use in food, honey has applications in natural sweetening and offers health benefits such as antioxidant properties.
Sugar syrup, treacle and molasses all have much higher viscosity than honey. Due to their extremely adhesive nature, it may not be possible to pump them using the Viscopower.
Manufacturers produce various types of liquid soap for personal cosmetics and industrial cleaning uses. Viscosity plays a crucial role in their performance, determining foam stability, cleaning efficiency and texture. Liquid soap viscosity can be selected during formulation and testing. For example, moisturising soaps tend to be thicker due to added oils and emollients, while antibacterial soaps are often lower in viscosity. Liquid soap is used not only for hand and body cleansing but also in shampoos, facial cleansers and shower gels. Consequently, a smooth texture and consistency are essential for consumer satisfaction.
Viscosity also influences how soaps are mixed, dispensed and packaged. The Viscopower ensures efficient pumping of liquid soaps, by offering precise, pulsation-free dispense control. Whether in bulk manufacturing or during smaller-scale filling processes, the pump maintains consistent, controllable flow, reducing waste and improving overall production efficiency.
Manufacturers produce shampoos by combining surfactants, co-surfactants and conditioning agents to cleanse, hydrate and care for the scalp. Their viscosity is a key factor in the products performance and appeal. Shampoos typically have a viscosity range from 800 to 1,500 cP, with thicker formulations often providing richer foam and better moisturising effects. Shampoos with higher viscosity, such as those containing more conditioning agents, tend to have a smoother texture, enhancing the user experience.
Cosmetics manufacturers must carefully control viscosity to ensure their shampoo meets quality standards for flow, application and consistency. The Viscopower is ideal for transferring shampoos from bulk mixing vessels. It provides efficient, contamination-free transfer during mixing, blending and filling processes. It easy-clean design means this high viscosity barrel pump can improve production efficiency and product quality when used to handle different shampoo types.
Tomato puree, commonly used in sauces, soups and condiments, is a semi-solid material with high viscosity. It requires application of yield stress and shear stress to enable pumping. Its consistency and texture results from a high concentration of pulp and fibre. Factors such as the variety of tomatoes used, dissolved sugar content, water content and the temperature during processing, can influence the viscosity of tomato puree. Higher temperatures can reduce viscosity, making the puree easier to pump, while lower temperatures or higher sugar concentrations can make it thicker and more resistant to flow.
Food manufacturers use tomato puree to create a base product for a wide range of pasta sauces, ketchup, soups and marinades. The Viscoflux mobile S is ideal for transferring this thick, concentrated product with precision and ease. The Viscoflux follower plate hermetically seals the drum, allowing the pump to create a vacuum. The plate then pushes material away from the sides of the drum, moving it towards the pump inlet. It eliminates manual handling, reduces production downtime and ensures smooth, efficient operations. This makes it an essential tool for manufacturers seeking reliable, contamination-free transfer of tomato puree. Viscopower is also suitable for pumping chopped tomatoes.
Epoxy resin is a versatile material, widely used in construction, automotive, aerospace and woodworking applications. Its popularity is a result of its extremely strong adhesive properties, reliability and durability. High-viscosity epoxy resins, such as those used for tabletop coatings, are ideal for creating thick, protective layers on furniture, floors and structural projects. These formulations are respected for their ability to create smooth, glossy finishes that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly durable. On the other hand, low-viscosity epoxy resins are commonly used to produce adhesives, sealants and coatings that require better penetration and faster curing times. These lower-viscosity formulations are ideal for bonding materials or filling cracks in concrete or wood, where a thinner, more fluid resin is needed for even application.
The Viscopower is highly effective for transferring both high and low-viscosity epoxy resins. It delivers smooth, precise flow, perfect for manufacturing processes and application. Its ability to handle a wide range of viscosities makes it an indispensable tool in maintaining consistent and efficient production. It can handle variations in resin thickness during mixing or application. This pump helps reduce waste, improves processing time and prevents clogging, enhancing the overall productivity of resin handling processes.
Glue is used for a multitude of applications including packaging, woodworking, production of consumer goods and automotive manufacturing. The viscosity of glue plays a key role in determining its bonding strength and the ease of application. High-viscosity glues, such as those used in woodworking and automotive assembly, provide strong, durable bonds that are ideal for heavy-duty applications. On the other hand, low-viscosity glues are preferred for precision tasks. For example, in packaging or electronics, where a thinner adhesive is needed for accurate dispensing. The viscosity also impacts the drying time and the final appearance of the bond.
The Viscopower pump handles a wide range of glue viscosities, ensuring smooth, consistent delivery throughout the manufacturing process. By improving flow and reducing downtime, this pump helps manufacturers maintain output while minimising waste.
Yes, Flux Viscopower can handle a wide range of viscosities, from water to tomato paste. This high viscosity barrel pump is very easy to clean – it can be stripped to its component parts in under one minute. It can switch between low and high-viscosity liquids seamlessly, making it a cost-effective way of pumping many different materials. For example, the pump is well suited to food applications employing regular CIP (clean-in-place) procedures. The pump will transfer the viscous food product and also handle the cleaning solution e.g. sodium hydroxide, for disinfection purposes.
Yes, specialised drum pumps, such as the Flux Viscopower, handle high-viscosity liquids effectively. These pumps ensure smooth transfer, even for thick products like oils, gels and adhesives. Unlike surface mounted self-priming pumps, the Viscopower pump inlet is immersed directly in the liquid. Therefore, you can rely on gravity to help fill the pump inlet cavity.
The pump also creates a vacuum to draw material to the inlet. The material is then driven up and out of the pump from the bottom of the container. The rotor design minimises shear stress applied to the fluid, making it suitable for delicate or shear-sensitive products like creams, pastes and adhesives.
To efficiently dispense petroleum jelly (sometimes known by the trade name Vaseline) from a 200-litre drum into a batching tank, the VISCOFLUX mobile S drum emptying system combined with the Viscopower progressive cavity pump the ideal solution. ViscoFlux handles non-flowing media, minimising waste and providing a hygienic and effective pumping process.
The operator lowers the follower plate into the drum until it rests on the product surface. The plate hermetically seals the drum and you then activate the pump. Product is drawn into the pump inlet and is transferred up through the cavities in the rotor-stator drive mechanism. For long transfer distances (e.g. a 10-meter pipeline), the pipeline is heated to reduce product viscosity, maintaining the correct back pressure. Pump speed can be easily adjusted with the spur gear motor to accommodate changes in viscosity due to seasonal temperature fluctuations.
Additionally, controls can be added to automatically stop the high viscosity barrel pump when the desired volume (or weight) has been pumped. This ensures an accurate and efficient dispensing process with minimal manual intervention.
The Viscopower is the ideal solution for transferring high-viscosity liquid soap and its raw materials, such as glycerine, from IBCs into production containers. This high viscosity barrel pump transfers thick liquids safely and efficiently, even high-foaming products.
With its compact, portable design, Viscopower ensures easy and safe operation. Use our double-walled IP 55 single-phase electric motor, preventing carbon deposits from contaminating the product. The pump operates with low shear forces, reducing the risk of excessive foaming during transfer. There is also a dry-mounted horizontal version for connection to bottom-outlet containers, such as totes and IBCs.
For added automation, you can integrate the FMO flow meter and FLUXTRONIC® batch controller, providing an ideal solution for high-accuracy filling or batch transfer of ingredients to mixing vessels. This system delivers precise and repeatable filling, improving overall efficiency and reducing waste.
The best high viscosity barrel pump is one specifically designed to smoothly transfer thick and / or adhesive liquids without pulsation, such as the Flux Viscopower drum and container pump.
This pump is ideal for demanding applications due to its efficient progressive cavity design. What sets the Viscopower apart is its portability, cleanability, consistent delivery pressure and smooth flow.
Moreover, the Viscopower pump is highly versatile. You can choose from a range of elastomer materials, pump lengths, pump orientations and from electric or compressed air motors. Additionally, it can handle fluids containing soft solid particles e.g. chopped tomatoes or yoghurt containing fruit. It can be used for transfer or filling processes that require precise flow control.
Its user-friendly operation and easy-to-clean design make it perfect for food, cosmetics and chemical applications. In these industries, both performance and hygiene are critical. For anyone managing the challenges of high-viscosity fluid transfer, the Flux Viscopower offers a reliable, customisable and efficient solution.
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