Packo – lobe pump for winemaking (ZW)
Packo ZW pump - a lobe pump designed by the manufacturer specifically for the wine industry. Flow rate - up to 58 m³/h, maximum differential pressure - 8 bar. The rotors are made of EPDM elastomer, which makes it possible to pump must and juice without damaging the berry fraction.
Steiner Ukraine supplies Packo equipment in Ukraine: process-specific selection, delivery, service, and spare parts.
What is a Packo ZW pump?
ZW is one of Packo's nine lobe pump series. The manufacturer positions it as a pump for the wine industry: gentle and efficient transfer of wine and juice without damaging the fruit components.
Packo has been operating since 1975, with production located in Diksmuide, Belgium. Since the summer of 2015, the company has been part of the Verder Group. Packo rotary lobe and twin-screw pumps are manufactured in South Korea. The manufacturer reports over 350,000 pumps delivered.
Other equipment from this manufacturer can be found on the page Verder – Packo.
Why are rotors made of rubber?
This is the main design feature of the series. The ZW rotors are heli-lobe, made of FDA-approved EPDM elastomer. A bi-lobe version is optionally available.
An elastomeric rotor produces two practical consequences.
The first is gentle product handling. The rubber paddle deforms upon contact with a solid particle rather than crushing it. For must, this means that skins, pips and whole berries pass through the pump without being destroyed. It is precisely because of this that the wine does not pick up excess phenolic compounds during pumping.
The second is limitation. The elastomer sets the limits: 8 bar of differential pressure, 1,000 cP of viscosity, 120 °C. By comparison, the Packo ZL and ZLC stainless steel lobe series operate up to 20 bar. In other words, the ZW is chosen not because it is more powerful, but because it is more delicate.
What technical parameters does the Packo ZW pump have?
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | rotary lobe pump |
| Rotors | helicoidal with EPDM (FDA); optionally bi-lobe |
| Maximum flow rate | 58 m³/h |
| Maximum differential pressure | 8 bar |
| Maximum viscosity | 1000 cP |
| Maximum temperature | 120 °C |
| Size of the pipes | 50–100 mm |
| Details regarding the product | 316L stainless steel |
| Surface treatment | manual polishing and electropolishing up to 0.8 µm |
| Gearbox | stainless steel, filled with food-grade oil |
| Installation | horizontal and vertical |
| Certification | EC 1935/2004, FDA (seals and rotors), USP, EAC |
The shaft can be moved from top to bottom without dismantling the gearbox. This makes it possible to adjust the inlet direction to match the existing pipework without having to order a different model.
For which operations in winemaking is the Packo ZW pump used?
The manufacturer names three typical operations.
| Operation | What does a pump do |
|---|---|
| Remounting during fermentation | pumps the must from the bottom of the vat and irrigates the cap of pomace |
| Recirculation during maceration | ensures contact between the must and the skins without crushing the solid phase |
| Movement of wine | from crop reception to bottling |
A rectangular inlet pipe is available for receiving the mash. It expands the flow area and allows the loading of thick mass without bridging above the inlet.
A positive displacement pump must not be started against a closed isolation valve. The discharge rate does not drop with an increase in backpressure, and the pressure rises until the pipeline is damaged. The manufacturer provides safety and bypass valves for this purpose.
What hygienic design does the Packo ZW pump have?
Parts in product contact are 316L stainless steel. Internal food-grade welds are hand-polished and electropolished to a roughness of 0.8 µm.
A roughness of 0.8 µm is the limit below which product residues do not remain in the surface micro-irregularities. For wine, this is critical: residues on the walls become a source of undesirable microflora during the next batch.
The design is suitable for CIP cleaning in place. The manufacturer claims there are no dead zones or corners where product can get trapped.
O-rings are made of EPDM. EPDM is resistant to hot water and alkaline cleaning solutions used in CIP.
What seals are available?
| Type of seal | When to use |
|---|---|
| triple lip seal | standard execution of the series, extended service life |
| Single mechanical seal | standard processes |
| Flush-mounted end seal | products that crystallise or dry out |
| Double mechanical seal | product isolation from the atmosphere |
| Ring seal | simple processes |
Separately, the manufacturer offers front-loading seals in two certified versions: with a certificate EHEDG and with a certificate 3-AFrontal seal removal is carried out from the cover side, without dismantling the pump from the line.
What options can be ordered?
| Option | What is it for? |
|---|---|
| Hull heating shirt | product temperature maintenance |
| Front cover heating jacket | the same for the end zone |
| Safety valve | overpressure protection |
| Bypass valve | product bypass with closed line |
| bi-lobe rotors | instead of helicoidal |
| Investment-cast gearbox | increased accuracy of the gearbox housing |
| Rectangular inlet pipe | receiving a thick mass |
| Accession | sanitary or industrial fittings |
| EHEDG or 3-A seal | hygienic compliance confirmed |
How does the ZW differ from other Packo lobe pump series?
Packo has nine lobe pump series. The ZW is the only one that the manufacturer specifically addresses to the winemaking industry.
| The series | Maximum flow rate | Maximum pressure |
|---|---|---|
| ZW | 58 m³/h | 8 bar |
| ZL | 100 m³/h | 20 bar |
| ZLC | 100 m³/h | 20 bar |
| HP | 41 m³/h | 15 bar |
| LH | 1809 l/min | 15 bar |
| LT | 40 m³/h | 15 bar |
| LTE | 40 m³/h | 15 bar |
| LU | 40 m³/h | 15 bar |
| 55 | 4 m³/h | 20 bar |
The selection rule is simple. You need a pressure of over 8 bar or a viscosity of over 1000 cP — that's ZL or ZLC. You need to transfer must with whole berry fractions — that's ZW.
Frequently asked questions about the Packo ZW pump
What is the maximum flow rate?
58 m³/h. This value is provided by the manufacturer on the series page, in the technical datasheet, and in the lobe pump summary table.
What is the maximum pressure?
8 bar differential pressure. The limit is determined by the rotor material.
What is the maximum viscosity?
1000 cP. For thicker products, Packo has the ZL and ZLC series.
What are rotors made of?
Made from FDA-approved EPDM elastomer. Helical shape. Two-lobe rotors are optionally available.
Can the pump be washed without dismantling?
Yes, the design is suitable for CIP. The manufacturer claims the absence of dead zones and corners. The internal surfaces are electropolished to 0.8 µm.
Are there EHEDG and 3-A certificates?
The manufacturer offers mechanical seals in certified EHEDG and 3-A designs. This is an option, not part of the standard configuration. As standard, the series complies with EC 1935/2004, FDA for seals and rotors, USP, and EAC.
Can the pump be installed vertically?
Right. The manufacturer states horizontal and vertical mounting. The shaft can be moved from top to bottom without dismantling the gearbox.
What is the maximum temperature?
120 °C.
Where are these pumps made?
Packo has been operating since 1975 in Diksmuide, Belgium, and has been part of the Verder group since 2015. The lobe and twin-screw pumps are manufactured in South Korea.
Enquiry for selection and price via ContactsOther equipment from the manufacturer — Verder – PackoRelated sections: Pumps for food production, Industrial pumps, Spare parts.
