External Gear Pump — Series FBE

FBE series gear pumps are ideal for viscous fluids such as lubricating oils, resins, paints, adhesives, asphalt, bitumen and various chemicals. They handle viscosities up to 100,000 SSU in the 3″ to 6″ sizes — the limit is per size (Table 2 of manual MTEC-01/01). For abrasive fluids with suspended solids, consult the application engineering team.

FBE series gear pumps offer flow rates up to 6,500 L/min (390 m³/h) depending on the model and speed. The 12 nominal sizes range from 1/8" to 6" to meet different industrial needs.

The maximum discharge pressure of FBE pumps is 22 kgf/cm². The actual value depends on the chosen size, fluid viscosity and operating speed. FB Bombas engineering validates the duty point against the shaft power curve of the selected model to ensure bearing and seal service life.

The FBE series covers 12 nominal sizes — 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1.1/2", 2", 3", 4", 5" and 6". The 5" and 6" sizes are made to order. The standard and valved construction variants exist in every size; the CA — with integrated heating chamber — only from 1.1/2" to 6". Selection follows the fluid and process conditions.

Selection between gear and centrifugal pumps depends on flow, pressure or head, viscosity at operating temperature, suction conditions and materials. FBE and FBEI serve viscous fluids; FBCN serves centrifugal applications and FBOT thermal oil circuits. There is no universal 100 cP threshold: compare corrected curves, internal losses and power at the same duty point with engineering.

In the FBE code, "FBE" is the series (external gear pump) and the number is the nominal port size in inches (1/8" to 6"). The suffixes describe the gear: A = larger-diameter gear, D = longer gear, DA = greater length and module, and M6/M8/M9/M12 = gear module; CA means integrated heating chamber and STD the standard configuration. The main components are the body (casing), a pair of helical gears, shafts, TM23 bronze bushings (graphite or PTFE per casing material), covers and sealing (packing or mechanical seal). Example: FBE-3-M9 is a 3" pump with gear module 9.

Material choice follows the fluid and process. Cast iron ASTM A48 is the economical standard for oils, asphalt and fuels. Carbon steel ASTM A216 WCB handles higher pressure and heated fluids. Stainless ASTM A743 CF8M (316 equivalent) suits chemically aggressive and corrosive fluids. Bronze ASTM B584 is used in specific compatibility applications. The application engineering team defines the material per chemical compatibility, temperature and working pressure.

The FBE catalogs viscosity in SSU (Saybolt Universal Seconds) and operates up to 100,000 SSU in the 3″ to 6″ sizes (limit per size). To convert to cSt (centistokes), above ~75 cSt the practical rule is cSt ≈ SSU ÷ 4.6 (and SSU ≈ cSt × 4.6). Examples: 100,000 SSU ≈ 22,000 cSt; 5,000 SSU ≈ 1,090 cSt; 500 SSU ≈ 108 cSt. Always state the viscosity at the actual pumping temperature — it drops as the fluid is heated — so the application engineering team can size speed and power correctly.

The FBE is the industrial external gear pump for viscous fluids: lubricating and hydraulic oils, petroleum derivatives, fuels, solvents, resins, paints, vegetable oils and molasses, across the 30 to 100,000 SSU range (limit per size — Table 2 of manual MTEC-01/01). 12 catalogued sizes from 1/8" to 6", flow up to 6,500 L/min, pressure up to 22 kgf/cm² and temperature up to 350°C with the appropriate seal configuration. Helical gears, bushings in TM23 bronze, graphite or PTFE, construction in ASTM A48 cast iron, ASTM A216 carbon steel, ASTM A743 stainless or ASTM B584 bronze. Documented in technical manual MTEC-01/01; CRCC Petrobras qualified supplier (Family 6 — Rotating Equipment).

Yes, through the CA (Heating Chamber) variant: a chamber integrated into the casing, with inlet and outlet connections (C1/C2) for the heating medium, holding the product at pumping viscosity. This is the configuration used for asphalt and bitumen, with temperature up to 350°C and the appropriate seal configuration. The CA variant is available from FBE 1.1/2" to 6" — it does not exist for the 1/8" to 1" sizes — within the three construction variants of the series (standard, valved and CA), selected according to fluid and process. Viscosity up to 100,000 SSU (limit per size), sealing by packing or mechanical seal.

Both are gear pumps, but the gear set works differently. In the FBE (external), two externally toothed gears mesh with each other: a simpler, more robust construction suited to most viscous duties, with 12 sizes from 1/8" to 6". In the FBEI (internal), an inner rotor turns inside an outer ring gear, which lowers pulsation and favours shear-sensitive fluids and transfers requiring smoother flow. The choice follows the fluid, the admissible pulsation and the duty point — application engineering indicates which of the two series fits. Both are built in ASTM A48 cast iron, ASTM A216 carbon steel, ASTM A743 stainless or ASTM B584 bronze, from a CRCC Petrobras qualified supplier (Family 6 — Rotating Equipment).

Yes. For chemical duty the FBE is built in ASTM A743 grade CF8M stainless steel — the cast equivalent of AISI 316 — or in special alloys on a project basis, sealed by cartridge mechanical seal or braided packing. Operating range: flow up to 6,500 L/min, pressure up to 22 kgf/cm², temperature up to 350°C, viscosity up to 100,000 SSU (limit per size). FB Bombas has manufactured in Brazil since 1944, with its own hydraulic test bench, and is a CRCC Petrobras qualified supplier.

Yes. In diesel, biodiesel, solvents and light derivatives the sealing choice is the critical point: the FBE accepts a cartridge mechanical seal, or a double seal where the application requires vapour containment, in place of braided packing. There are 12 catalogued sizes from 1/8" to 6", flow up to 6,500 L/min and materials in ASTM A48 cast iron, ASTM A216 carbon steel, 316 stainless (ASTM A743 CF8M) or ASTM B584 bronze. CRCC Petrobras qualified supplier (Family 6 — Rotating Equipment). In continuous operation under the same corporate registry since 1944, manufactured entirely in Cabreúva-SP.

Table 2 of technical manual MTEC-01/01 sets speed by viscosity: 1,750 rpm on direct drive for fluids from 30 to 250 SSU (FBE 1/8" to 1"); 1,150 rpm from 250 to 2,500 SSU (1/8" to 5"); 850 rpm from 2,500 to 7,500 SSU (1/2" to 6"); 700 to 500 rpm with belt drive or gear reducer from 7,500 to 10,000 SSU (1.1/2" to 6"); 500 to 300 rpm from 10,000 to 50,000 SSU (1.1/2" to 6"); and 300 to 150 rpm from 50,000 to 100,000 SSU (3" to 6"). When choosing the motor, the manual recommends a power margin of 50% up to 2 cv, 30% from 3 to 5 cv, 25% from 6 to 10 cv, 15% from 11 to 25 cv and 10% above 25 cv (cv = metric horsepower).

The FBE operates up to 350°C with appropriate seal configuration and optional heating chamber (CA suffix) integrated in the casing, available from FBE 1.1/2" to 6", with inlet and outlet connections (C1/C2) for the heating medium. The chamber is ordered for any fluid that needs to be heated or kept at temperature during pumping — not just asphalt. Typical application includes products that solidify, crystallize or sharply increase viscosity below operating temperature. C1/C2 BSP chamber connections sized per pump bore.

Yes. The FBE pumps fluids from very low to very high viscosity — up to 100,000 SSU (≈ 22,000 cSt) at reduced speed: 300 to 150 rpm with belt drive or gear reducer, in the 3" to 6" sizes (Table 2 of manual MTEC-01/01). For any fluid that needs to be heated or kept at temperature during pumping (asphalt, bitumen, polymers, waxes, resins, BPF, thermal oil, among others), the CA (Heating Chamber) optional is ordered together with the base model, from 1.1/2" to 6". Helical gears and bushings in TM23 bronze, graphite or PTFE according to casing material. The application engineering team sizes the motor/reducer set per the pump performance curve and fluid viscosity.

Yes. FB Bombas is a qualified supplier in Petrobras' Cadastro de Registro Cadastral de Contratados (CRCC) under Family 6 — Rotating Equipment, eligible to supply industrial pumps (including the FBE line) for Brazilian Oil & Gas projects. Active corporate registry 61.381.240/0001-78 publicly verifiable at Brazilian Federal Revenue. In continuous operation under the same corporate identity since 1944.

Several FBE models are kept in stock in Cabreúva-SP for immediate delivery. For the other configurations, lead time is defined case by case by the application engineering team, considering size (among the 12 catalogued from 1/8" to 6"), construction variant (standard, valved or CA — Heating Chamber), materials (cast iron ASTM A48, carbon steel ASTM A216, stainless ASTM A743 or bronze ASTM B584) and sealing type. Because manufacturing is fully Brazilian — in-house CNC machining and assembly with hydraulic test bench — lead times tend to be significantly shorter than equivalent imported pumps, with no dependency on international logistics.

The FBE technical quotation is requested directly from the application engineering team. Provide the fluid (with viscosity and temperature), required flow, discharge pressure, available NPSH, desired materials and whether the application requires the CA (Heating Chamber) variant. The FBE technical manual — with performance curves, dimensions of all 12 sizes, sealing options and materials — is available at /en/technical-manuals/fbe in Portuguese, English and Spanish, free for download in PDF.

The FBE technical manual (MTEC-01/01) defines the construction, materials and standards specification of the external gear pump line. FBE pumps from 1.1/2" to 6" carry the flanges as part of the casing itself per ASME B16.1 125lbs for cast iron; for other classes and standards, specification follows the material employed and the fluid application. Optional shaft materials may be SAE 8620 and gears SAE 8640, or other types specified per application. Standard sealing is type 21 mechanical seal with ceramic × graphite × viton, with optional alternative material combinations per fluid. Coupling protection is FB standard in carbon steel or anti-spark material. Part numbering per DIN EN 24250. The full manual with the performance table of all 12 sizes (1/8" to 6"), parts lists per configuration (with packing, with mechanical seal, with CA heating chamber, with external bearing) and sectional drawings is available at /en/technical-manuals/fbe in Portuguese, English and Spanish, free for download in PDF.