
Progressive Cavity Pump: Advantages and Innovations for Wastewater Treatment
A positive displacement pump type called a progressive cavity pump is made to transfer water in a constant, uninterrupted flow. Usually composed of rubber or elastomer, it has a cylindrical stator and rotor. As it turns, the rotor creates cavities inside the stator that spread out along the pump’s length. This motion forms a seal that forces the liquid even fluids with different viscosities or particles through the pump smoothly and precisely.

Progressive cavity pumps can provide wastewater treatment operators with the best answer to a number of typical problems while treating sludge and mixed fluids. Here, we examine the advantages of cavity pumps and their practical applications in wastewater treatment.
Key features of progressive cavity pump
Steady Flow Rate:
Because of its construction, a PC pump can carry liquids at a steady flow independent of pressure variations, which makes it perfect for applications requiring a steady flow rate.
High Viscosity Tolerance :
High-solids fluids, which are frequently used in wastewater treatment, can be handled by PC pumps.
Low Pulse Rate:
The continuous stream created by the smooth, non-pulsating flow lessens wear and tear on the pump and its parts.
Durability:
Progressive cavity pumps are a dependable choice for long-term usage in wastewater treatment facilities because of their robust construction and capacity to handle abrasive substances. They are available in two designs: the Toro-Kronoa range, which is made for more aggressive sludges, and one for silky pastes.
Superior Capacity:
Toro progressive cavity pumps are unique in the industry because they can handle fluids with low and high viscosities, are incredibly adaptable, and can pump up to 24 bar of pressure.
How a Progressing Cavity Pump Works ?
The rotor and stator assembly of a progressive cavity pump is its fundamental component:
Usually a metal helical screw, the rotor revolves inside the stator.
The rotor is housed in the stator, a stationary cylinder lined with rubber. A number of cavities or pockets are formed between the rotor and the stator as it rotates.

Operation
- Cavity Formation: The rotor and stator develop cavities when the rotor rotates. From the pump’s suction end (inlet) to its discharge end (outlet), these chambers progressively shift.
- Fluid Movement: Fluid is trapped and forced toward the discharge by the cavities’ motion. This ongoing procedure guarantees a steady, non-pulsing flow.
- Sealing: Each chamber is sealed off from the others by the tight fit between the rotor and stator, which stops backflow and keeps the pressure constant.
This mechanism makes progressive cavity pumps extremely successful in demanding applications by enabling them to handle fluids that are viscous, abrasive, or include particles.
PCP types used in watertreatment
Standard PCPs
Used to handle sludge and pump general wastewater.
Sanitary PCPs
Made for uses like food processing and pharmaceuticals where hygienic conditions and cleanliness are crucial.
Heavy-duty PCPs
are perfect for pumping sludge, slurries, and other difficult materials since they are designed for high-pressure and abrasive applications.
Progressive cavity pump in wastewater treatment
1.Because progressive cavity pumps can handle high-viscosity liquids, sediments, and fiber content, they are frequently utilized in the wastewater business in the United Kingdom. They are frequently employed to move sludge between different treatment stages or to dewatering equipment since they are skilled at handling it without clogging.
2.They can give accurate metering of compounds like coagulants or pH modifiers and are also utilized for precision chemical dosing. For efficient chemical application, their steady feed rate is maintained by their non-pulsating flow.
3.They can also be used to feed sludge into thickeners, which lowers the water content of the sludge before it is further treated or disposed of, and to transfer digestive sludge from anaerobic digesters to storage or further treatment.
Maintenance and Care
- Despite their great adaptability, PC pumps need routine maintenance to function at their best. Friction can cause the rotor and stator to wear down over time, particularly when working with abrasive sludge. For this reason, it is essential to regularly inspect and replace these components.

- Look for PC designs that are tailored to your unique wastewater application; some models are best suited for moving thin, silky pastes with high efficiency, while others are better suited for moving abrasive or higher particles sludge. From a maintenance perspective, take into account the following factors when selecting a new PC pump: material wear-life, ease of replacing the wet parts, cost and local availability of spare parts, number of inspection ports, and maximum solids size passage.
- A PC pump with a shorter pitch will often have reduced operating and maintenance expenses with a like-for-like flow rate. The motor doesn’t have to run as rapidly because the cavities are deeper.
- Because progressive cavity pumps can handle fluids that contain particles, they are crucial to the treatment of wastewater. They are a vital part of any water facility and help with efficient waste management.
HiCone progressive cavity pump
The HiCone progressive cavity pump, the first pump in its category to enable precise adjustments, is set for mass release in North America. This patented technology was designed to maintain consistent conveying capacity and pressure resistance while being energy efficient. The HiCone pump is suitable for applications in environmental wastewater applications, as well as most industrial settings. “Due to the conical shape of the rotor and stator, simple and exact adjustments are possible with the rotation of one adjusting nut. Inaccurate and inefficient external pressing and squeezing of the stator elastomer to ensure internal sealing is no longer necessary,” says Russ Boring, President at Vogelsang USA.

Long Service Life Due To Re-Adjustment
The conical rotor-stator geometry makes this possible. Ongoing operation can make up for any wear-induced gap that develops between the rotor and stator. Axial adjustment is made to the rotor. Constant conveying capacity with high efficiency is ensured by the size, capacity, and efficiency of the conveying chambers remaining constant at the time of installation. The HiCone can be easily and quickly re-adjusted, extending its service life many times beyond that of conventional technology, in place of expensive and time-consuming part replacement.
Accurate Modification To Operating Parameters
By arranging the rotor and stator in the best possible relationship to one another, the smart adjustment system enables the HiCone to be individually adjusted to the corresponding operational parameters, such as pressure and temperature. Russ Boring: “For instance, the pumping machinery in wastewater treatment plants occasionally has to endure tremendous pressures. Wear is minimized if the rotor and stator are optimally matched in terms of contact pressure between the conveying components. Additionally: “The HiCone’s smart adjustment system has an additional benefit in terms of energy efficiency, namely that it uses less energy.” This effect is amplified by the automatic start-up mechanism.

Energy Efficiency Owing to Low Pressure
In contrast to a traditional progressive cavity pump, the rotor and stator are oriented in relation to one another to reduce compression between them when the pump is static. This means that a smaller motor is needed to start the pump. This significantly lowers the pump’s startup torque, increasing energy efficiency. This start-up procedure is completely automated with the automatic HiCone model, negating the need for further control. The compression between the rotor and stator can be controlled from the control room at the touch of a button or mouse click, and it can be tracked for wear during operation. In the end, this innovation enables the rotor-stator package replacement to be anticipated and planned for long in advance.
The HiCone product is a long-lasting, incredibly effective pump technology when combined with Vogelsang’s integrated QuickService concept. It offers solutions for demanding applications and may be easily readjusted to fit a variety of pumping requirements and operating settings.

Conclusion
In the fields of water treatment, progressive cavity pump is a vital instrument. Because of its distinctive form, adaptability, and dependability, it is the go-to option for pumping a variety of fluids, guaranteeing effective and efficient operation in trying circumstances. Through comprehension of PCPs benefits and their diverse uses, engineers and operators may choose the best pump for their own requirements and help create a healthier and cleaner environment.
To explore the latest innovations in water and energy technologies, and discover a wide range of products and solutions from around the world, you can visit the virtual exhibition AQUA ENERGY EXPO which featuring leading companies in water treatment, desalination, and sustainable energy through the following link:
References
Advantages Of Progressive Cavity Pumps In The Wastewater Process
https://atlanticpumps.co.uk/blogs/news/advantages-progressive-cavity-pumps-wastewater-process
progressive cavity pump
https://www.tidjma.tn/en/glenv/progressive-cavity-pump-/
How progressive cavity pumps work: an in-depth look
https://www.pumpworks.com/how-progressive-cavity-pumps-work-an-in-depth-look/
Revolutionary HiCone™ progressive cavity pump brings longer lifecycles to North American Markets