Why choose a hygienic rotary lobe pump for high-purity applications

In pharmaceutical and biotechnology environments, product integrity is non-negotiable. The Alfa Laval SX UltraPure rotary lobe pump addresses this requirement with a design centred on gentle fluid handling. Four-lobe rotors rotate within an optimised pump head geometry, producing low pulsation and minimised shear forces. The result is consistent, damage-free transfer of delicate process fluids — from cell cultures and buffer solutions to active pharmaceutical ingredients.

316L stainless steel construction and material traceability

Every product-wetted steel component — including the rotor case, front cover, rotors, and rotor nuts — is manufactured from W. 1.4404 (316L) stainless steel. Material traceability is documented to 3.1 according to EN 10204, giving quality teams full confidence during audits and validation activities. The stainless steel gearbox provides maximum shaft rigidity while simplifying oil seal replacement. A universal gearbox design allows inlet and outlet ports to be mounted in either a vertical or horizontal plane, offering flexible installation across different plant layouts.

USP Class VI elastomers for low contamination risk

All product-wetted elastomers are EPDM conforming to USP Class VI (121 °C), Chapter 88, and Chapter 87. These controlled-compression joints reduce the risk of process contamination from extractables, a critical concern in regulated manufacturing. Silicon carbide is used for both rotary and stationary seal faces, ensuring long service life and reliable sealing under demanding conditions.

CIP and SIP verified design up to 150 °C

The SX UltraPure is rated for process and CIP temperatures up to 150 °C (302 °F). Verified CIP and SIP capability means cleaning validation is straightforward, reducing downtime between production runs. The four-lobe rotor design, combined with smooth internal surfaces finished to Ra ≤ 0.8 µm mechanically or Ra ≤ 0.38 µm electropolished, ensures thorough cleanability with no product hold-up areas.

Front-loading shaft seals for reduced maintenance

Single, single flushed, and double mechanical shaft seals are available — all fully front-loading and fully interchangeable. Seals can be inspected or replaced without removing the pump from the pipeline, significantly reducing maintenance time. The single flush or quench option includes a steam barrier suitable for aseptic applications, while the double mechanical seal supports flush configurations for higher containment requirements.

Qualification, validation, and the Q-doc package

Regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing demands thorough documentation. The Alfa Laval SX UltraPure ships with the Q-doc standard documentation package, aligned with Good Documentation Practices. This package streamlines qualification and validation workflows, providing material certificates, dimensional records, and surface finish documentation from the outset. An extended 3-year warranty covers all non-wear parts when genuine Alfa Laval spare parts are used, adding further assurance to your investment.

Pump sizes and operating pressure range

The SX UltraPure range spans seven pump sizes, from the compact SX UltraPure 1/005 with a 25 mm port through to the SX UltraPure 7/380 with a 150 mm port. Maximum inlet pressures range from 7 bar to 15 bar depending on model, accommodating a broad spectrum of process conditions. This scalability ensures the right pump size for pilot-scale through to full production throughput.