cpp - Process technology for the chemical industry 02.2018

cpp ACHEMA PUMPS
Pictures: Flux
Lukas Lehmann, Assistant Editor-in-Chief of cpp, interviewing Klaus Hahn, Managing Partner of Flux Geräte GmbH, and his Sales
Manager Jürgen Rabenseifner
Drum and container pumps with a modular design
Built with a heart of steel
Flux originally launched its 400 series of drum pumps in the market sixty years ago.
Today, the series includes eight different drum and container pumps for vertical or
horizontal delivery. Read on for an interview with Klaus Hahn, the company’s Manag -
ing Partner, and his Sales Manager Jürgen Rabenseifner to discover how Flux has continuously
expanded this series over time.
Flux brought the first electric drum pump to market in 1950.
Mr. Hahn, what was the idea behind its development?
Klaus Hahn: Before that, drum pumps were always manually operat -
ed. This was both time-consuming and strenuous. Because of this,
our company had the idea of combining drum pumps with an electric
motor. Flux has traditionally had a high level of competence in
the electric drives area, which is probably why we were able to come
up with this particular invention. That’s how the world’s first electric
drum pump came into being back in 1950. An explosion protected
version followed in 1953. We were also the first supplier in the
world to offer this product. In 1957, we then introduced the 400 series
of pumps, which will celebrate its 60 th anniversary this year.
How did your company gain its expertise in the electric drive
technology field?
Hahn: Flux started out manufacturing electric motors for Progress
vacuum cleaners, which at the time were made in Stuttgart.
Back to the 400 series. These are axial centrifugal pumps. What advantages
does this type of pump offer users?
Hahn: These pumps can be used universally. However, their biggest
advantage is that they work without pulsation, creating a very even
flow.
Over the last sixty years, the company has built an extensive prod -
uct family based on the 400 drum pump series. What was the driving
force behind this family’s consistent expansion?
Hahn: That’s always been our customers, who continue to confront
us with new pumping tasks they want to handle with the 400 series.
For our engineers, this means the pumps regularly need to be
adapted to new process conditions in a wide range of industries.
And that’s how the first 400 series became a product family, which
today comprises eight different drum and container pumps.
Could you give us a quick overview of the various pumps that are
part of the 400 series?
Hahn: The 400 series basically includes drum and container pumps
with or without a mechanical seal for vertical or horizontal pump
delivery. They can be used for different kinds of media.
60 cpp 02-2018