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VISCOFLUX drum emptying systems are designed for efficient transfer of very high-viscosity media from lidded drums. Using a FLUX Viscopower progressive cavity pump, ViscoFlux models ensure continuous, gentle product extraction with minimal residual waste—less than 1% remaining in most cases (under 2 % for drums with in liners). Whether handling thick fluids that barely flow, or non-flowing substances like tomato puree or petroleum jelly, VISCOFLUX systems deliver smooth, low-shear, low-pulsation product transfer. With their compact design, cleanability and airtight drum sealing, ViscoFlux systems are a great solution for industries requiring high process reliability and efficiency.
The Viscopower high viscosity drum pump family comprises three pump configurations:
The Viscoflux Lite drum emptying system is a portable system designed to transfer high-viscosity materials, just capable of flowing, from 200 litre, 571.5 mm diameter, ISO lidded drums.
The system comprises the following components:
The Viscoflux Lite Ex incorporates the same features as the standard Lite model, but is suitable for use in hazardous areas (ATEX zone 1/2) and can handle flammable media (zone 0/1). This model can be used with both ISO drums and sea container drums. Like other Viscoflux systems, the Viscoflux Lite Ex leaves minimal residual media in the drum. Its modular design allows for customised pump and motor combinations, thereby ensuring optimal performance in different applications.
Please call us on 01202 823304 or email sales@flux-pumps.co.uk for assistance
The trolley mounted Viscoflux Mobile S drum emptying system provides reliable, efficient and hygienic transfer of difficult high-viscosity, paste-like and also non-self-flowing media. Primarily designed for pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics applications, this system provides gentle, low-shear pumping action while maintaining strict hygiene standards. Additionally, a food grade version with FDA CFR 21 and EC 1935 / 2004 approvals is also available.
The Mobile S drum emptying system can be used with various containers, including parallel, conical or sea container drums, and also drums with aseptic bags. It’s high quality stainless steel construction, IP 66 protection class and moisture-resistant control cabinet makes it suitable use for wet or damp production environments. The system typically leaves less than 1% of media in the drum, reducing waste and optimising production efficiency.
This system is ideal for handling a wide range of high-viscosity and paste-like media, including:
Food and beverage applications
Cosmetics and personal care
Industrial and pharmaceutical applications
With its advanced features, hygienic design and flexible operation, the Viscoflux drum emptying system is the ideal choice for industries that demand efficiency, safety and reliability in high-viscosity media transfer.
ViscoFlux Mobile S is pushed into position, next to the barrel to be emptied. Steerable rear wheels make it easy to move. The pump unit is lowered using the rechargeable, battery powered lifting arm, until the follower plate rests on the surface of the media. The process seal creates an air-tight seal between the follower plate and the drum. Then, the pump motor is activated. The automatic freewheel decouples the lifting arm and the power unit. The pump creates a vacuum below the follower plate, thereby causing it to lower tightly into the drum.
Efficient material extraction and flow
The pump suction, combined with the weight of the pump unit bearing down on the media, helps to simultaneously draw and push the material into the pump inlet, filling the lowermost pump cavity. When handling particularly sticky, adhesive media, it may be necessary to create a “mound” of the material first, which helps to force the media into the pump inlet. Once the material has reached its yield point and started flowing, the material will continue to flow.
As the material is pumped from the drum, the follower plate is drawn down by the pump vacuum. The process seal pushes residue stuck on the drum walls to the pump inlet. Being flexible, the process seal also adapts to drum beads, conical restrictions and transport dents in the container walls, ensuring the vacuum is maintained.
Completing the drum emptying process
When the media has been removed, the follower plate will rest on the bottom of the drum. The compressed air valve is opened, therefore, allowing air into the space left below the follower plate. The air pressure pushes the plate and the pump unit slowly back up to the drum opening, until the process seal breaks away from the drum. The ViscoFlux mobile can then be re-positioned, ready to empty the next container. When emptying drums with aseptic bags, the in-liner remains stuck to the drum wall by the pressure of the compressed air. A minimal amount of residue remains in the drum.
Both models use our Viscopower progressive cavity pumps. The key difference is the two follower plate designs. The Lite follower plate has a central opening with O-ring seals and the pump is inserted through it. The o-rings create a seal around the pump.
The Lite plate slides up and down the pump tube. Therefore the pump rests on the bottom of the drum (ie. pump inlet also at the bottom of the drum), while the follower plate rests on the media surface. Thus, no weight is transferred onto the follower plate. When the pump is switched on, the Lite follower plate is drawn down onto the media purely by the pump creating a vacuum beneath the plate.
With ViscoFlux Mobile S, the pump inlet is clamped to the follower plate. The entire pump and plate are lifted by the process device lifting arm and positioned on the media surface. On starting the motor, the lifting arm clutch decouples in the process device, allowing downward movement. Therefore the pump and motor weight pushes down on the follower plate and therefore, the media.
The system uses both downward force and vacuum to drive the media into the pump. This is the reason why the ViscoFlux mobile can pump more viscous, adhesive media when compared to the Lite.
There are several pumps available for emptying high viscosity, non-flowing media. All models have a follower plate that pushes residual material from the drum walls to the pump inlet. However, the pumps themselves can be one of several designs, but typically progressive cavity or piston types.
Flux favours the progressive cavity pump, for several reasons. Our Viscopower pump is extremely easy to dismantle for cleaning, with few moving parts. They deliver smooth, pulsation-free flow, with minimal risk of cavitation or NPSH (net positive suction head) problems. They do not damage, shear or break down the media. Furthermore, they can pump solid particles up to 8 mm in diameter, e.g. fruit pieces, without damage. They develop enough discharge pressure (up to 15 Bar) and flow rate for most transfer applications and can be driven by electric or compressed air motors.
In comparison, piston pumps are more complicated designs that contain more moving parts. As a result, they are more difficult and time consuming to dismantle for cleaning or servicing. They are typically air driven and will be noisier than electric progressive cavity pumps. Pulsation can occur, resulting from opening and closing of internal fluid check valves. They can create very high discharge pressures (up to 200 Bar), which is useful for handling very high viscosity, adhesive media over 1,000,000 mPas, eg. bathroom sealant. However, they are prone to seal failures and resulting leaks.
Viscoflux systems provide nearly complete drum emptying, leaving less than 1% of the media behind (<2% with drum in-liner). Thus, product waste and disposal costs are greatly reduced compared to manual emptying, making ViscoFlux a cost-effective solution for industries handling expensive or sensitive materials such as food products or cosmetics.
Get in touch to find the right Viscoflux drum emptying system
Whether you need a hygienic system for food and cosmetics, an Ex-certified version for hazardous environments, or a fully customised dispensing solution with flowmeter or rotation counter, Viscoflux ensures reliable performance.
Our expert sales team is ready to help you choose the best Viscoflux system for your needs. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and find the ideal drum emptying solution for your business!
