Thick, sticky, or particulate-heavy fluids can pose serious challenges for filling systems—clogging valves, causing inconsistent dosing, and slowing down production. But with the right pump configuration, these problems become a thing of the past and managed more easily.
In this post, we take a closer look at how UBA rotary valve pumps excel in high-viscosity and complex product applications, delivering the same precision and repeatability you’d expect from any UBA pump.
🧴 What Do We Mean by “Viscous Products”?
Viscous products are materials that resist flow—think:
* Creams and balms
* Gels and pastes
* Thick sauces and condiments
* Adhesives and sealants
* Heavy-duty detergents
* Battery gels or slurries
These are often fluids with viscosities well above 20,000 centipoise (cps)—a point at which standard check valves begin to struggle with flow control and clean shutoff.
🔄 Why Rotary Valves Are the Better Choice
For viscous or particulate-laden products, UBA pumps equipped with rotary valves offer key advantages over check valve systems:
| Feature | Rotary Valve | Check Valve |
| Handles high viscosity | ✅ | ❌ |
| Can process particulates | ✅ | ❌ |
| Requires pressure to seal | ❌ | ✅ |
| Flow path smoothness | ✅ | Moderate |
Rotary valves rotate between suction and discharge positions, creating a clear, full-bore path for thick materials. This prevents product buildup and ensures a clean, complete fill stroke—even with chunky or slow-moving substances.
⚙️ How the Rotary Valve Works in UBA Pumps
UBA’s rotary valve is a precision-machined ceramic component that works like a diverter. During operation:
1. Suction phase: The valve aligns the inlet with the pump cylinder.
2. Dispense phase: It rotates to connect the pump cylinder to the outlet.
This rotation is tightly controlled with a mechanical delay and timed with the piston stroke, ensuring smooth, uninterrupted flow even with dense and ‘slow-moving’ products.
🛠 Typical Applications We’ve Handled
Rotary valve-equipped UBA pumps have been successfully used in:
Cosmetics: Filling thick moisturisers, exfoliating scrubs, and oil-based balms
Food: Dosing high-viscosity syrups, sauces with particulates, or fruit preparations
Pharmaceuticals: Handling semi-solids or gel formulations
📌 Key Benefits of Using UBA Rotary Valve Pumps for Viscous Products
* Accurate dosing despite high viscosity
* Smooth product flow without pulsation
* Clean shutoff without dripping
* Reduced wear on pump internals due to open bore design
* Reliable operation even at lower fill speeds
🤔 Not Sure If You Need a Rotary Valve?
The choice between check valve and rotary valve comes down to product viscosity, particulate content, and how cleanly your product flows.
If you’re filling:
* Thin, water-like products → Check valve is usually ideal
* Thick or non-flowing materials → Rotary valve is the way to go
Still unsure? We’re happy to review your product specs and recommend the right solution.
📩 Get in touch – www.fillers.co.uk/contact for advice or to arrange a sample fill test.
