Single-cavity pumps in the agri-food sector: from wineries to dairies
Single-cavity pumps: progressing cavity technology for the agri-food sector
The agri-food sector requires pumping solutions that guarantee absolute hygiene, delicacy in product handling and compliance with the strictest sanitary regulations. Nova Rotors progressive cavity pumps represent the ideal solution for fluid handling in wine, dairy and oil production chains, offering progressive cavity technology that preserves the organoleptic characteristics of foods in every processing phase. In this article we will analyze the specific applications of progressive cavity pumps in the different sectors of the agri-food industry, from wine cellars to dairies, from oil mills to precision dosing applications, highlighting the technical and operational advantages that make these solutions indispensable for the most demanding producers.
Nova Rotors progressive cavity pumps of the Diamond series use the progressive cavity principle, a technology that guarantees gentle and controlled transfer of fluids without altering their properties. The operation is based on a helical steel rotor that rotates inside an elastomeric stator, creating sealed chambers that move progressively along the pump axis. This mechanism ensures a constant flow free of pulsations, essential for preserving the integrity of sensitive food products.
The Diamond progressive cavity pump range stands out for robustness, reliability and application flexibility, covering flow rates up to 420 m³/h and pressures up to 48 bar. Each pump is designed in strict compliance with sanitary regulations, with materials certified for food contact in accordance with EC Regulation No. 1935/2004 and 3-A Sanitary Standard and suitable elastomers according to FDA and EHEDG guidelines.
Advantages of single-cavity pumps in the food industry
- Gentle transfer: mechanical stress on the product is minimized, preserving food structure and quality
- No pulsations: constant flow ensures uniformity in processing and dosing operations
- Handling of complex products: ability to pump viscous fluids, semi-liquids and products containing solid particles
- Easy sanitization: hygienic design with CIP (Clean-In-Place) cleaning capability to reduce production downtime
Pumps for the wine sector: from harvest to bottling
In the wine sector, Nova Rotors progressive cavity pumps play a crucial role in every phase of winemaking, ensuring gentle transfer of musts, wines and derived products. Progressive cavity technology is perfectly suited to the needs of wineries, where preservation of the organoleptic characteristics of wine is a priority. The DH and DN series pumps are particularly appreciated for their ability to handle non-homogeneous products such as freshly crushed grape must, without damaging the berries and preserving aromatic profiles.
Pumps for the wine sector must handle fluids with highly variable characteristics: from the pressing of berries, which produces a dense must rich in solid particles, to clarified wine destined for bottling. Nova Rotors' DHE and DX series have been developed specifically for these applications, offering constructions in AISI 304 and 316 stainless steel, food-grade elastomer stators and patented joints that guarantee superior durability and reliability.
Specific applications in wineries
Progressive cavity pumps are used in multiple phases of the winemaking process: transfer of must after pressing, wine handling during fermentation, racking operations between tanks, feeding clarification filters and management of lees. The DN series with hopper and auger proves ideal for pumping pomace and low-flowing products, while the DX sanitary series pumps guarantee high hygienic standards for wines destined for bottling.
Pumps for the dairy sector: hygiene and delicacy in milk processing
The dairy industry presents some of the most complex pumping challenges, requiring solutions that combine maximum hygiene, gentle handling and ease of sanitization. Nova Rotors progressive cavity pumps are designed to meet these needs, ensuring the transfer of milk, cream, yogurt and cheese without altering their nutritional and organoleptic properties.
The production of yogurt with fruit pieces or cereals perfectly exemplifies the importance of gentle pumping: the DX series pumps with hygienic open joint (DXO) and standard sanitary joint (DXC) ensure that fruit pieces remain intact during transfer, preserving the visual appearance and quality of the final product. For stretched curd or creamy cheeses, the low shear stress guaranteed by progressive cavity pumps maintains the desired consistency without compromising the product structure.
HTS Series: excellence for sanitary applications
The Raptor twin screw pumps HTS series represent the pinnacle of technological innovation in sanitary pumping. Specifically designed to guarantee absolute hygiene levels, these pumps are ideal for the dairy sector thanks to their design completely free of dead zones and water stagnation. Easily dismountable components allow for quick and effective CIP cleaning and SIP sterilization operations, reducing production downtime.
Materials certified for food contact (AISI 316 stainless steel) and elastomers compliant with FDA and EHEDG regulations ensure maximum food safety. HTS pumps are certified according to the 3-A Sanitary Standard and comply with HACCP, EC 1935/2004 and GMP regulations, guaranteeing full regulatory compliance for the dairy industry.
Olive oil pumps: transferring olive oil
In the oil sector, from olive milling to oil bottling, Nova Rotors progressive cavity pumps guarantee gentle transfer that preserves the precious organoleptic characteristics of the product. The olive paste obtained from the first milling represents one of the most complex fluids to handle: non-homogeneous, rich in solid parts and with high viscosity, it requires robust pumps capable of operating without damaging the product.
The DN series pumps are particularly suitable for transferring olive paste from the malaxer to the decanter, where the separation between oil, vegetation water and pomace takes place. The DH series with hopper is ideal for low-flowing substances, ensuring constant feeding even with products that tend to form accumulations. For the transfer of finished olive oil, the RL series pumps in stainless steel ensure maximum quality, while the R pumps with floating stator are used for managing vegetation water.
Preservation of organoleptic qualities
The reduced tensional stress to which the fluid is subjected during pumping with progressive cavity pumps is essential to keep the organoleptic characteristics of the oil intact. The absence of pulsations and uniform transfer prevent unwanted emulsification and foam formation, critical aspects for obtaining high-quality extra virgin olive oil. The reduced transfer times, guaranteed by the efficiency of Nova Rotors pumps, further contribute to the preservation of product properties.
Single-screw dosing pumps: precision in transfer
Diamond progressive cavity metering pumps represent excellence in the precision dosing sector for the food industry. Using progressive cavity technology, these pumps guarantee accurate and constant fluid control, an essential characteristic for applications requiring maximum precision in dosing ingredients, additives, flavors and other critical components in food production processes.
The operating principle based on the rotating screw inside an elastomeric stator creates sealed cavities that move axially, transferring the fluid without pulsations. This characteristic is fundamental in dosing operations, where repeatability and precision are essential requirements. Diamond metering pumps excel in handling complex fluids, from high-viscosity substances such as syrups and honey, to products containing suspended solid particles such as fruit concentrates.
Precision dosing applications
- Dosing of rennet and lactic ferments in dairy production
- Controlled addition of sugars and flavors in beverage production
- Precise transfer of concentrates and food pastes
- Mixing of liquid and semi-liquid ingredients in the confectionery industry
Comparison between pump series for the agri-food sector
| Series | Main application | Distinctive features | Ideal sectors |
| DN/JN | Industrial flanged | Robustness, high pressures up to 48 bar, UNI/DIN/ANSI flanged connections | Wine, oil, oil mills |
| DH/JH | With hopper and auger | Handling of viscous and low-flowing products, high solid content | Oil mills, wineries, dense products |
| DX/JX | Sanitary connections | Hygienic design without dead zones, AISI 304/316 steel, open or standard joint | Dairy, milk, food pharmaceutical |
| DHE | Wine sector with gear motor | Integrated gear motor, compact construction, stainless steel parts | Wine cellars, must transfer |
| HTS Raptor | Sanitary twin screw | Maximum hygiene, 3-A certification, CIP/SIP, EHEDG compliant | Dairy, dairy products, critical applications |
| Diamond Metering | Precision dosing | Accurate flow control, no pulsations, repeatability | All sectors for ingredient dosing |
Certified materials and regulatory compliance
Nova Rotors pays maximum attention to the selection of materials in contact with food products. All pumps intended for the agri-food sector are constructed with food-grade stainless steels (AISI 304, AISI 316 and special alloys) that guarantee corrosion resistance, ease of cleaning and durability over time. Stators are made of elastomers certified for food use, selected after rigorous chemical compatibility and operational durability tests.
Compliance with regulations is a fundamental aspect for the food sector. Nova Rotors pumps are certified according to the following regulations:
- EC Regulation No. 1935/2004 regarding materials and articles intended for contact with food products
- FDA (Food and Drug Administration) guidelines for food elastomers
- EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group) standards for hygienic design
- 3-A Sanitary Standard certification for dairy applications
- HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) compliance
The company, located in Sossano at the foot of the Berici Hills, is ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certified, guaranteeing controlled production processes and consistent quality. Nova Rotors is also able to produce ATEX certified pumps for applications in explosion-risk environments.
Maintenance and service for agri-food pumps
A distinctive aspect of Nova Rotors progressive cavity pumps is the ease of maintenance, designed to reduce plant downtime and optimize operating costs. The patented pin joint of the Diamond series represents an innovative solution that allows rapid replacement of wear components without the need to replace expensive elements such as rotor, drive shaft and hollow shaft. The bushings applied in wear zones allow for economical and efficient maintenance interventions.
Nova Rotors offers a comprehensive after-sales service, with specialized technical support and immediate availability of original spare parts. The modularity of the design allows for standardization of hydraulic parts, guaranteeing reduced delivery times even for customized configurations. The computerized testing system in the test room allows verification of the performance of each pump before delivery, ensuring operational reliability from installation.
Choosing Nova Rotors for the agri-food sector
Nova Rotors progressive cavity pumps represent the ideal solution for pumping needs in the agri-food sector, offering advanced technology, certified materials and absolute regulatory compliance. From winemaking to dairy production, from oil mills to precision dosing applications, Nova Rotors provides customized solutions that guarantee operational efficiency, final product quality and reduced management costs.
With over 30 years of experience since 1990 and hundreds of installations worldwide, Nova Rotors confirms itself as a reliable partner for the most demanding agri-food producers. The ability to customize pumps according to specific application requirements, combined with comprehensive service support and availability of original spare parts, makes Nova Rotors the national and international reference for pumping solutions in the food sector.
Investing in Nova Rotors progressive cavity pumps means choosing quality, reliability and technological innovation to optimize production processes, guarantee food safety and preserve the organoleptic characteristics of the products that define the excellence of Italian Made agri-food products.