Packo – Pharmaceutical-grade lobe pump (ZLC)
Packo ZLC pump — positive displacement lobe pump for sterile processes. The manufacturer defines the series as 3-A certified pharmaceutical process pumps. Capacity — up to 100 m³/h, differential pressure — up to 20 bar, temperature — up to 150 °C.
The key difference between this series and other Packo lobe pumps is the completely drainable design with no crevices and an electropolished wetted surface roughness of less than 0.4 µm.
Steiner Ukraine supplies Packo equipment in Ukraine: process-specific selection, delivery, service, and spare parts.
What is a Packo ZLC pump?
ZLC is one of Packo's nine lobe series and the only one that the manufacturer explicitly refers to in its datasheet as pharmaceutical process pumps.
The series is designed for pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and cosmetics. The design is subject to one requirement: that no product remains in the pump after washing.
This is implemented by three solutions: a fully drainage design, the absence of crevices and gaps, and electropolishing as the surface finish.
Other equipment from this manufacturer can be found on the page Verder – Packo.
What sizes are available in the ZLC series?
There are ten frame sizes in the series. The manufacturer lists the displacement per revolution for each.
| Size | Displacement, l/rev |
|---|---|
| ZLC/105 | 0,02 |
| ZLC/110 | 0,05 |
| ZLC/115 | 0,12 |
| ZLC/120 | 0,21 |
| ZLC/220 | 0,40 |
| ZLC/225 | 0,62 |
| ZLC/330 | 1,02 |
| ZLC/340 | 1,44 |
| ZLC/440 | 2,27 |
| ZLC/450 | 3,34 |
Displacement per revolution is the basic parameter for selecting a positive-displacement pump. Flow rate equals displacement multiplied by speed. Operating speed for a specific flow rate is selected in conjunction with a frequency converter; the manufacturer does not publish tabular flow rate values by standard size.
The range from 0.02 to 3.34 l/rev is a 167-fold difference. That means a single series covers both laboratory dosing and process pumping.
What are the technical parameters of the Packo ZLC pump?
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | rotary lobe pump |
| Manufacturer classification | pharmaceutical process pumps with 3-A certificate |
| Maximum flow rate | 100 m³/h |
| Maximum differential pressure | 20 bar |
| Maximum temperature | 150 °C |
| Maximum viscosity | 1,000,000 cP |
| Revolutions | 1000 rpm |
| Size of the pipes | 50–100 mm |
| Standard sizes | 10 |
| Details regarding the product | 316L 1.4404 (standard) or 1.4435 (optional) |
| Roughness of wetted surfaces | < 0.4 µm, electropolishing |
| Gearbox | available in stainless steel, investment casting |
| Installation | horizontal and vertical |
Steel 1.4435 As an option, this is not the same as standard 1.4404. 1.4435 has a higher molybdenum and nickel content. It is used where material composition requirements are set by a pharmacopoeia or validation protocol.
How does ZLC differ from ZL?
Both series deliver 100 m³/h, 20 bar, 150 °C and 1,000,000 cP. The speed is the same at 1000 rpm. What sets them apart is their hygienic grade.
| Parameter | ZLC | ZL |
|---|---|---|
| Surface roughness | < 0.4 µm, electropolishing | 0.6 µm |
| Design | fully drained, gapless | standard lip balm |
| Size of the pipes | 50–100 mm | 25–125 mm |
| Gaskets | single, with flushing, double mechanical seal | face, ring, lip |
| 3-A Certificate | yes | no applications |
| EHEDG certificate | yes | no applications |
| USP Class VI | yes | USP (without specifying class) |
| Target sectors | pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, cosmetics | dairy, food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, baking, detergents, spirits, chemicals |
The selection rule is simple. If the process requires cleaning validation, a 3-A or EHEDG certificate, it is a ZLC. If a wide range of connections from 25 mm is needed and there are no pharmaceutical requirements, it is a ZL; it is cheaper for the same hydraulic performance.
What does a fully drained construction mean?
A self-draining design is a geometry where the entire product flows out of the pump by gravity, with no residual puddles remaining in the chamber.
In a conventional pump, the product gets trapped in three places: at the bottom of the casing, in the rotor mounting cavities, and in the gaps beneath the seals. Each such place means residue from the previous batch in the next one.
In the ZLC, the manufacturer claims two solutions. The first is complete drainability. The second is a crevice-free design: in the product contact zone, there are no gaps where liquid can become trapped.
The third element is the placement of the mechanical seals in the flushing zone. The seal is flushed by the flow rather than sitting in a stagnant zone.
Electropolishing completes the picture. This is the electrochemical removal of a micro-layer of metal, after which the roughness drops below 0.4 µm and the surface becomes passivated. Neither product residues nor biofilm can hold onto such a surface.
What compliance documents does the Packo ZLC pump have?
| Document | What confirms |
|---|---|
| 3-A | US hygienic standard for food and pharmaceutical processing equipment |
| EHEDG | European assessment of clean-in-place suitability |
| FDA | material suitability for food contact |
| USP Class VI | biocompatibility of polymeric materials according to the United States Pharmacopeia |
| ATEX | explosion-proof design |
| EAC | compliance with the technical regulations of the Customs Union |
| EN 10204 | material certificates and acceptance test certificates |
USP Class VI — the highest of the six classes of United States Pharmacopeia biological compatibility. For elastomers in contact with injectable dosage forms, this is a basic requirement.
EN 10204 material and welding certificates are supplied with the pump. For a pharmaceutical facility, this is part of the equipment qualification package.
ZLC is the only Packo lobe series for which the manufacturer claims 3-A, EHEDG and USP Class VI simultaneously.
What seals and materials are available?
| Position | Options |
|---|---|
| Details regarding the product | 316L 1.4404 (standard), 1.4435 (optional) |
| Sealing rings | EPDM, FKM, FFKM |
| Mechanical seal | single, with flushing, double |
| Gearbox | stainless steel, investment casting |
| Accession | sterile |
FFKM — a perfluoroelastomer. It is more expensive than FKM, but resists a wider range of aggressive media and withstands steam sterilisation without degradation. For SIP cycles, this is the definitive choice.
Mechanical seals have FDA and USP certificates and are located in the flushing zone.
For which products is the Packo ZLC pump used?
The manufacturer names three sectors.
| Industry | Products according to the manufacturer's description |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | process fluids for pharmaceutical manufacturing |
| Biotechnology | biotechnological process media |
| Cosmetics | shampoos, gels, personal care products |
The pump accommodates viscosities up to 1,000,000 cP. This means that a single series handles both watery solutions and thick gels.
A positive displacement pump must not be started against a closed valve. The flow rate does not drop with an increase in backpressure, and the pressure rises until the equipment is damaged.
Frequently asked questions about the Packo ZLC pump
What is the maximum flow rate?
100 m³/h
What is the maximum pressure?
20 bar of differential pressure. This is the highest value among the Packo lobe series, along with the ZL and the 55 series.
What is the maximum temperature?
150 °C.
How many sizes are there in the range?
Ten: from ZLC/105 with a displacement of 0.02 l/rev to ZLC/450 with a displacement of 3.34 l/rev.
What is the surface roughness?
Less than 0.4 µm for wettable surfaces, with electropolishing. The manufacturer describes this as a pharmaceutical-grade surface finish.
Are there 3-A and EHEDG certificates?
Yes, both. ZLC is the only Packo lobe pump series for which the manufacturer declares them together with USP Class VI.
Is there an ATEX version available?
Yes, the manufacturer declares ATEX for the ZLC series.
What is the difference between 1.4404 and 1.4435?
1.4404 is the standard execution for 316L. 1.4435 is an option with a higher molybdenum and nickel content, used where required by pharmacopoeia or validation protocols.
Can the pump be installed vertically?
Yes, the manufacturer states horizontal and vertical installation.
Are material certificates supplied?
Yes, the manufacturer declares material and welding certificates according to EN 10204.
Enquiry for selection and price via ContactsOther equipment from the manufacturer — Verder – PackoA pump of the same hydraulic limits without the pharmaceutical grade — ZLAseptic series of lower output — 55 and UltimaRelated sections: Pumps for food production, Industrial pumps, Spare parts.
