Alfa Laval LKH Prime

Alfa Laval LKH Prime, based on the market-leading Alfa Laval LKH pump, is an efficient, adaptable and hygienic self-priming pump developed for demanding hygienic processing in food, dairy, beverage, home care and personal care industries. Using air-screw technology and optimized hydraulic design, it is primarily used for Cleaning-in-Place (CIP) return duties with entrained air and it can also be used as a product pump to potentially reduce capital investment. An additional model size is available to provide an extended performance envelope.

The LKH Prime pump supports both 50 Hz and 60 Hz hygienic installations and is commonly specified for CIP return applications, tank emptying and hygienic transfer duties where stable performance, quiet operation and energy efficiency are required. Built with W.1.4404 (AISI 316L) product-wetted parts and EPDM elastomers, it is suitable for hygienic processes across beverage processing, dairy processing, prepared food production and home and personal care production.

Related Industries:

1. Beverage Processing (50 Hz and 60 Hz)
2. Biotechnology
3. Dairy Processing
4. Food Processing and Prepared Food Production
5. Meat and Poultry Processing
6. Home Care (EPDM hygienic pump applications)
7. Personal Care

Alfa Laval LKH Prime Applications

The Alfa Laval LKH Prime is a hygienic, self-priming centrifugal pump suitable for food, dairy, beverage, home care and personal care processing. It is ideal for tank emptying and CIP return duties with entrained air and it can also be used as a product pump. Available in three sizes, it can handle capacities up to 100 m3/h.

50 Hz, 60 Hz and Hygienic Processing Fit

• Designed for both 50 Hz and 60 Hz installations for global hygienic processing requirements
• Optimized for CIP return with entrained air, supporting stable operation and repeatable cleaning performance
• Suitable for beverage processing, dairy processing, food processing, prepared food production, home care and personal care applications
• Product-wetted materials in W.1.4404 (AISI 316L) with EPDM elastomers for hygienic pump duties

Benefits

• Utilizes advanced air-screw technology, optimized impeller and casing geometry for quiet, efficient operation
• Reduces energy consumption and CO2 footprint while supporting hygienic requirements in CIP return and product transfer
• Premium pump platform with strong performance, high quality and reliable operation in hygienic process environments
• Versatile, designed for Cleaning-in-Place duties and pumping product, potentially reducing capital investment
• Supports hygienic processing where low noise, stable performance and repeatable cleaning outcomes are required
• Easy to maintain, with parts shared across compatible Alfa Laval LKH pump platforms

TECHNICAL DATA

Materials

• Product wetted steel parts: W.1.4404 (AISI 316L)
• Other steel parts: Stainless steel
• Inside surface finish: Standard blasted
• Product wetted elastomers: EPDM
• Rotary seal face: Carbon
• Stationary seal face: Silicon Carbide

Motor
Foot-flanged motor according to the IEC metric standard, 2 poles = 3000/3600 rpm at 50/60 Hz, IP 55 (with drain hole with labyrinth plug), insulation class F.

The LKH Prime pump is a standard design with steel components, including the pump casing, impeller, air screw, front cover, recirculation pipe and backplate. It features a compression coupling for precision alignment and a semi-open impeller with a special vane design for efficient product handling. The pump is equipped with a single mechanical shaft seal or a double mechanical shaft seal, making maintenance fast, easy and cost-effective. The balanced design minimizes seal opening during pressure shocks.

The pump operates by rotating the air screw, forming a continuous liquid ring within the canister and directing air pockets through the canister into the suction stage of the impeller. The liquid is returned via the recirculation pipe to maintain the ring. When no air is present, the canister and recirculation loop are empty, allowing the pump to function as a traditional centrifugal pump.

Typical Hygienic Use Cases

• CIP return lines with entrained air in beverage processing, dairy processing and food processing
• Tank emptying duties where air ingestion may occur and stable self-priming performance is needed
• Hygienic product transfer in home care and personal care production environments
• Prepared food production and hygienic process industry duties requiring quiet operation and energy efficiency