A lobe pump is a positive displacement pump designed to move liquids gently, accurately, and hygienically. Lobe pumps are widely used in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and industrial processing applications where product integrity, cleanability and consistent flow are essential.
In this guide, we explain what a lobe pump is, how it works, what they’re used for, and the key advantages and disadvantages to consider when selecting the right pump for your process
A lobe pump is a positive displacement pump that transfers liquid by trapping it between rotating lobes and the pump casing, then moving it from the inlet to the outlet.
Because a fixed volume of liquid is displaced with each rotation, lobe pumps deliver a steady, predictable flow. This makes them particularly suitable for applications where accurate flow control, gentle handling or hygienic operation is required.
Lobe pumps are commonly used to handle liquids ranging from low-viscosity fluids to thick, viscous products, including those containing soft solids.
A rotary lobe pump operates using two or more lobes that rotate in opposite directions inside the pump casing. The lobes are synchronised by external timing gears, allowing them to rotate without touching.
As the lobes turn:
Because there is no metal-to-metal contact between the lobes, wear is reduced and the pump can operate smoothly with low shear. This makes rotary lobe pumps suitable for shear-sensitive products and hygienic processes.
Lobe pumps are used in applications where gentle transfer, hygiene and flexibility are required. They are especially common in industries that handle sensitive, high-value or viscous products.
Typical lobe pump applications include:
Food and beverage processing, including dairy, wine, juice, sauces and syrups
Breweries and wineries handling liquids with soft solids
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing
Cosmetic and personal care production
Chemical processing and detergent manufacturing
For hygienic processing environments, Packo rotary lobe pump ZL series are engineered for use in dairies, breweries, pharmaceutical and cosmetic production, and bakeries. They are well suited to the gentle transfer of liquids such as liqueurs, detergents, shampoos and gels across a wide viscosity range.
In applications involving liquids with small particles, such as grape skins, seeds and stems, Packo rotary lobe pump ZW series rotary lobe pumps use rubber heli-lobe rotors. These soft rotors help prevent product damage while maintaining high pumping efficiency, making them ideal for wine, juice and pomace transfer.
Rotary lobe pumps offer several benefits, but they are not suitable for every application. Understanding both sides helps ensure the right pump selection.
In some processing environments, greater flexibility is required to handle both high-viscosity products and thin cleaning fluids. In these cases, a hybrid solution may be more suitable.
The Packo ZS hygienic twin screw pump series combines the benefits of rotary lobe and centrifugal pump technology in a single hygienic design. These pumps offer pulsation-free operation and are capable of transferring viscous products while also efficiently handling low-viscosity cleaning fluids, making them ideal for applications requiring frequent product changeovers or strict hygiene standards.
Selecting the right lobe pump depends on factors such as liquid viscosity, solids content, required flow rate, operating pressure, temperature, and hygiene requirements. Matching the pump design to the application helps ensure reliable operation, product quality, and long-term efficiency.
Working with experienced pump specialists allows you to assess whether a rotary lobe pump, rubber lobe design or twin screw pump solution is the best fit for your process.