INOXMIM – external gear pump (FL-ENC)
INOXMIM FL-ENC pump — external gear pump for viscous products. The manufacturer claims a capacity of up to 25 m³/h and high-pressure operation. The pump is designed for the food and chemical industries.
Steiner Engineering & Consulting supplies INOXMIM equipment to Ukraine: product matching, configuration, documentation, and spare parts.
What is an INOXMIM FL-ENC pump?
FL-ENC is an external gear pump. The manufacturer describes the design as robust. The pump provides a constant flow rate and allows operation at high pressures. The maximum flow rate is 25 m³/h.
Manufacturer — INOXMIM (INOXMIMGRUP), Spain. The company has been operating since 1997. In 2018, the group expanded its production facilities to over 8,000 m². Profile — equipment for agitating, mixing, pumping and handling liquids.
The FL-ENC belongs to the INOXMIM range of gear pumps along with the monoblock version FL-ENM.
How does an external gear pump work?
Two spur gears operate in the pump. One is connected to the motor shaft, and the other rotates passively. Fluid enters the space between the teeth and the casing. Rotation carries it from the inlet to the outlet.
The delivery rate is proportional to the rotation speed. This is the practical purpose of such a design: by changing the revs, you change the delivery rate predictably. Therefore, a gear pump is used where dosing is required, rather than just pumping.
The clearance between the teeth is small. Therefore, the pump is not suitable for fluids containing solid particles, as they damage the meshing.
What are the technical parameters of the INOXMIM FL-ENC pump?
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | external gear pump |
| Implementation | with an external housing, on the frame |
| Maximum flow rate | 25 m³/h |
| Viscosity | INOXMIM gear pumps handle liquids from 200 cP |
| Materials | carbon steel F-127, F-5; stainless steel AISI 304L, AISI 316L |
| Accession | flange, GAS, CLAMP, RJT |
| Casing heating | option: heating chamber — electric, steam or hot water |
| Control | option: pressure switch, temperature sensor |
| Working pressure | the manufacturer does not publish the numerical value (see note) |
The manufacturer does not publish on the series page the numerical value of the maximum pressure, nor the list of standard sizes, nor the temperature range. The technical data sheet, catalogue and manual on the manufacturer's website are available only upon request via the form. We request this data from the manufacturer for a specific operating point.
What products is the INOXMIM FL-ENC pump suitable for?
The manufacturer explicitly names the following products for FL-ENC:
| Product | Industry |
|---|---|
| Oils and fats | food, chemical |
| Molasses | food, feed |
| Starch | food |
| Cellulose | chemical, paper |
| Creams | food, cosmetic |
| Chocolate | food, confectionery |
For INOXMIM gear pumps, the manufacturer generally also mentions the dosing of anchovy paste. A common feature of all these products is increased viscosity and the absence of abrasive solid particles.
Products that crystallise or solidify upon cooling (chocolate, fats, molasses) require a heating chamber. Without heating, the product solidifies within the casing during stoppages.
What is the difference between FL-ENC and FL-ENM?
Both pumps operate on the same principle – external meshing of two gears. The difference lies in the layout and what the manufacturer positions them for.
| FL-ENC | FL-ENM | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | with an external housing, on the frame | all-in-one PC |
| Maximum flow rate | 25 m³/h | the manufacturer does not publish |
| Manufacturer's focus | high pressures, continuous supply | precise fixed feed, dosing |
Rule of thumb: FL-ENC is chosen when higher pressure is required and flow rates are up to 25 m³/h. FL-ENM is chosen when dosing accuracy and compactness are the main priorities.
What materials is the INOXMIM FL-ENC pump made from?
The manufacturer names four materials for gear pumps.
| Material | When to use |
|---|---|
| Carbon steel F-127 | non-aggressive technical environments, oils, greases |
| F-5 carbon steel | non-aggressive environments, increased mechanical loads |
| AISI 304L stainless steel | chloride-free media |
| Stainless steel AISI 316L | food and chemical environments, resistance to chlorides |
AISI 316L is not the only FL-ENC version, but one of four. The material choice determines the product, not the pump type. For media containing chlorides (sauces, brines, cleaning solutions), 316L is used. For industrial oils, carbon steel is sufficient.
What options are available to order?
| Option | What is it for? |
|---|---|
| Heating chamber — electric | chocolate, fats, paste: the product does not set in the shell |
| Steam heating chamber | the same when there is a pair on the site |
| Heating chamber — hot water | the same when there is a hot water circuit on the site |
| Pressure switch | protection of the pump against running against a closed valve |
| Temperature sensor | product temperature control in the housing |
| Flange connection / GAS / CLAMP / RJT | connection to the existing pipeline |
CLAMP and RJT are hygienic connections for clean-in-place maintenance. GAS and flange are general industrial ones.
When is a gear pump better than a centrifugal pump?
Centrifugal pumps lose capacity and efficiency as viscosity increases. Gear pumps are positive displacement pumps. Their capacity is practically independent of the product viscosity.
| Condition | Gear | Centrifugal |
|---|---|---|
| Viscosity over 200 cP | suits | the flow rate drops sharply |
| Dosage by rotation speed | suits | Doesn't fit |
| Solid particles, abrasive | Doesn't fit | fits (with the appropriate wheel) |
| High feed rate, low viscosity | suboptimal | suits |
| Operation against a closed valve | unprotected invalid | permissible for short periods |
A gear pump must not be run dry. The gears operate within the product itself, and the product acts as the lubricant for the friction pair.
Frequently asked questions about the INOXMIM FL-ENC pump
What is the maximum feed rate of the FL-ENC?
25 m³/h. This value is specified by the manufacturer both on the series page and in the technical article about gear pumps.
Can chocolate be pumped?
Right. The manufacturer explicitly names chocolate among the products for FL-ENC. For chocolate, a heating chamber is required — electric, steam or hot water.
From what viscosity does a gear pump make sense?
The manufacturer specifies that INOXMIM gear pumps operate with liquids from 200 cP and of medium viscosity. Below this value, it is usually cheaper to use a centrifugal pump.
Is there a stainless steel version available?
Right. AISI 304L and AISI 316L are available. In addition to these, the manufacturer mentions carbon steels F-127 and F-5.
What is the maximum pressure?
The manufacturer describes FL-ENC as a high-pressure pump, but does not publish the numerical value on their website. We are requesting the exact limit from the manufacturer for your product and operating point.
Is the pump suitable for products containing solid particles?
No. The clearance in the meshing is small, solid particles damage the gears. For such environments, a different type of pump is needed.
What connections are available?
Flange, GAS, CLAMP, RJT. CLAMP and RJT are used in hygienic lines.
Enquiry for selection and price via ContactsOther pumps for food production are in the section Pumps for food production and Industrial pumps. Spare parts.
Manufacturer: INOXMIM
Category: Gear pumps
Industries: Food, Beverages, Pet food, Other
Model range: 4 positions
